Gunaratne Punchi , village mahout in Sri Lanka Born ? in Sri Lanka , son of mahout Apuhami Punchi and wife R. M. Ukuama . Gunaratne was born in his fathers house Hasthiraja Niwasa in the village Kotagama, in Rambukkana, (close to the Pinnawala elephant orphanage), son of wellknown Sri Lankan Mahout Punchi Apuhami. The family belongs to the high caste called Wallawue. Gunaratnes mother R.M Ukuama, and her father was the Mahout Siathu Hami from Kalu Galle. In young age, he and his brother K. G. Sumunabanda started to help his father tend the families four elephants, Raja, died 20 years ago. Mudiyansee died 2002-04-01, Palikanatta (bull, died 35 years ago) and Menika died 2006. Weerasuriya Banda Hewahatta (Sumunabandas uncle, Apuhamis brother) trained the elephant Menika.
Gunaratne Punchi Born: ?
Father:Kotuwe PunchiBorn: 1926-07-06
Mother:R. UkuamaBorn:
