The Poet
Tikiri Bandara Tennakoon belongs to the second generation of the Colombo era poets. Yet, he was able to break away from the romanticism with its illusory colors and dreams which was the hallmark of poets of that era. Instead, he touched the hearts of the real people who were made of flesh and blood by de4picting their joys and sorrows in his poetic creations. My father resolutely dedicated himself to the welfare of the marginalized groups. He shunned self-gratification and chose to serve the needy, making it his life philosophy thereby making him different from most other politicians.

In order to communicate this political vision and help the poor reap the best harvest from it, he made the best use of his poetic ingenuity in a creative and meaningful manner. Poetry was a unique trait in his character and philosophy. Creative poesy and principled politics were a silent mirror which reflects his vision and mission to caring society with contented people.

The poems that flowed from his pen such as Sri Gautama Vama Dalada Vandanawa (Homage to the left Tooth Relic of the Lord Buddha), Ruwanmeli Maha Seya Varnanawa (Eulogy of Ruwanweli Dagaba) and Wessantara Sinduwa (the Song of Vessantara) are rich creations that captured the essence of rural life and its spirituality. Unfortunately, these poems that touched the inner chords of the heart of rural folk are yet to receive scholastic attention and recognition from the academia.

Growing in Stature
The late Mr. Tikiri Bandara Tennakoon was born on 26th March 1912 at the village of Pilawela, Pathadumbara of the central province. He died on the 28th January 1980. He started his career as a running shed assistant of the Ceylon Government Railways handling coal for the locomotives for a paltry daily wage of 62 cents. Later, he left this job and dedicated his time for the welfare of the marginalized people and became a municipal councilor, junior minister and finally a cabinet minister - a result of his unstinted commitment and of the great faith placed on him by the people of Rangiri Dambulla, the constituency he represented,.

The Politician
Tikiri Bandara Tennakoon was a new genre politician with a heart for his people. He used his poems immensely as a medium to reach the people and communicate his vision to them. He touched the depths of their hearts using an easily understandable simple language. Beautiful metaphors and sense of humility were the cardinal traits of his poesy. His poems are rich in substance and full of inferences to the needs and aspirations of the poor. He was a people-centred poet - an ordinary man representing ordinary people in an extra-ordinary manner

To leave an indelible mark in the hearts of the people and be remembered as a poet, politician and a statesman by them over three generations is a rare privilege. My father was one such fortunate being. He lived with his people always caring for them. It is also a rare privilege to be a son of such a great personality. It is with a high sense of humility and joy that I say that I am a son of this great leader.

He continues to bless and guide us
If I have reached an eminent place in the society today, I know that it was due to my father’s blessings and guidance. His life and vision have been a beacon light to me and others to march the arduous journey that we traversed so far.

Parents offer many things to their children. It is filial duty to accept them and build further on them. It is a pity if children stay ungrateful to their parents who paved the way for their well being and endowed to them the spirituality and morality that stand in good stead in both the good and bad times.

The priceless heritage that I inherited from my father was his good name. It helped me adopt a political philosophy focused on the total well being of our people. His poems served as a third eye for me to penetrate to the depths of his political vision and to see the world and understand its people.

We continue to follow him
TBT is a great person. He did not belong to me or my brothers and sisters only. He was a loving father to all the people of Sri Lanka, particularly to those of Rangiri Dambulla. Though a quarter of a century has passed since his death, he continues to live in the hearts of these people. The T.B.Tennakoon Foundation (TBTF) was formed to sustain his onerous mission to uplift the downtrodden and eradicate their poverty. TBTF is a voluntary welfare institute established under the Parliamentary Act No. 26 of 2006 of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

The main objectives of the Foundation are to:
#  Help poor, deprived but promising students of good promise receive quality education,
#  Assist underprivileged and neglected youth to attain an adequate level of well being and dignity through appropriate occupations and livelihoods.
#  Protect & promote our indigenous cultural heritage.

In pursuance of the above, the TBTF has initiated a series of social action programs It is active both at the national and international levels to achieve these objectives. It continues to enlist the services of facilitators who have expertise and experience in the respective spheres of action. Already an enviable team of eminent persons and experts provide conceptual and administrative guidance to the Foundation.

Service to mankind is our aim. TBTF is a non profit program that helps the poor irrespective of their race, caste or creed. We therefore, kindly invite you to be a partner of this humanitarian endeavor. Please join hands with us and support the work of TBTF with your creative ideas and funds.