Join hands for peace

“To live in peace is the right of every human and every individual.”

For the development of any country there should be peace among the communities. Today, the most essential thing for our country is peace.

If there is no peace, the development of our country becomes virtually impossible as most of the money has to be used for war efforts.

Peace should begin from our families. There must be unity among all members of the family first, to foster peace in our land. Parents and children must work together in peace and harmony.

Then, there should be unity among neighbours and all villagers. If all families live in peace the village becomes a peaceful place to live in. If there’s peace in the villages, then the whole country becomes peaceful.

We must treat all communities alike. The ethnic differences should not be a barrier for peace in a country.

As schoolchildren we must think about this deeply. We must also work together in peace with our classmates. There should be peace among all students in every school. We can be a good example to the next generation. If everybody lives in peace and harmony, our country will become a more beautiful place to live in. Sri Lanka will become a peaceful dove then.

Fathima Fahima Azeez, Grade 9, Subashi Rajakeeya Maha Vidyalaya,Malwana.
 

A soldier’s promise

I am a soldier in the Sri Lankan Army. The day I joined the Army, my mother cried for a long time, but later she understood my situation.

She has given a great gift to her motherland by giving her only son to the Forces to defend the country.

I am proud to be in the Army. I know so many things about the life of a soldier now.

A soldier’s life is very hard and stressful and is sad too. But sometimes it can be full of joy.

When most people are organising parties and musical shows and enjoying themselves, we soldiers are busy fighting against the LTTE to save the country. Sri Lanka’s President, Mahinda Rajapaksa is a leader who, like King Vijayabahu I, is striving to bring this country under one flag.

Patriotic Sri Lankans should therefore support him to win this war, so that we can all live in a peaceful environment. All Sri Lankans hope to see a peaceful country soon. Every soldier in the Sri Lanka Army is contributing to win this war.

Not only from land, but also from the sky and the sea, our Armed Forces personnel are waging a war. I think our wishes or hopes will never be limited to a dream because we as soldiers intend to make peace a reality.

A. Jeevika Hansani Perera, Grade 8, Devi Balika Vidyalaya,Colombo 8.
 

Let’s beat drug abuse

Today, drug abuse has become a great threat to the whole world. Most often drug addicts are youth. So, it affects the development of a country very much.

Some people become addicted to drugs by using them to forget the sorrows and hardships of life. Some others use drugs because of anxiety problems and become addicts. Ultimately, these drugs ruin their lives.

Drugs can be likened to a disguised devil.

In order to stop this disastrous habit, what can we do? Firstly, we should not look down upon drug addicts and corner them in society. While providing proper medical care for them to beat it, we must also provide them good counselling.

If they are made to realise the value of a human life, they will eventually stop this bad habit. We must give a helping hand to such people, especially if they are struggling to overcome this habit.

The State and many voluntary organisations have taken up the issue of drug abuse and are doing all they can to ensure the rehabilitation of victims and also catch drugs dealers. Stringent laws must be imposed, prohibiting the sale or use of dangerous drugs, and strong action should be taken against drug dealers.

Drugs not only destroy your money, but also your health and your family, your life and even the community. As children we must be determined not to be victims of drug abuse and help eradicate these dangerous drugs from the Earth!

Kusal Weraniyagoda, Form IV, Leeds International School, Galle.
 

My mother

My mother’s name is Sumedha. She works in a hospital as a doctor.

She likes ice-cream and cake. Her hobby is reading books.

She helps me to do my homework and also read books.

She is kind and nice. She makes tasty meals and buys books and toys for me. When I am sick she gives me medicine and looks after me. I am her eldest son. She loves me and I love her too. When I grow up I want to be a doctor like my mother.

Binura Lakvindu Ariyaratne, Grade 2 - ‘Purple’, Ananda College,Colombo 10.
 

I love sports

Sports is an essential activity. It helps us to keep our bodies fit and healthy. In almost every school, sports activities are a part of the school curriculum. It is a must in order to compete with other schools in this sphere. In every school there is a teacher-in-charge of sports.

Nowadays in addition to local sports, many interactional sports are played among the countries popularising sports such as cricket, football, basketball, rugby and cycling.

One of the greatest sporting events, the Olympics, is held once in four years bringing together sportsmen and women from around the world. Likewise, World Cup matches in cricket, football and rugby are organised every three to four years.

There are lots of quality sports goods available in the markets to meet the requirements of sportsmen and sportswomen around the world.Football is one of the most popular sports in the world.

Cricket too is now becoming very popular especially in South East Asian countries. Sports, both local and foreign can be viewed through television and the Internet. I love sports.

Aathif Sanaya, Grade 7-F,Asoka College,Colombo 10.
 

Protect nature; she will protect you!

We can define nature as our environment which includes all natural things. Nature, therefore, consists of trees, flowers, waterfalls, lakes and rivers. Human beings and animals are also a part of nature.

Nature is a very valuable gift from God, but most people don’t know how to appreciate nature and treat it.

People who are still ignorant of the valuable role nature plays in our existence, pollute the environment in various ways such as by dumping garbage, including polythene, everywhere, releasing polluted water and chemicals into the lakes and rivers and polluting the air. These are not environmental friendly actions.

Polythene isn’t biodegradable. It causes harmful effects to nature. It remains for hundreds of years in the soil and affects the growth of plants. When we pollute rivers, the aquatic animals are affected.

It not only destroys aquatic life, but also leads to various diseases as some people drink this water. But, if we protect nature and take good care of it, people will benefit from our actions.

We know that plants and trees purify the air. They give out pure oxygen for our respiration. Trees also prevent soil erosion and give rain for our survival. The trees around us give shelter for us as well as for the birds.

The green plants around us are food for many organisms. If we protect them, they will provide many advantages for us. If we continue to destroy our environment, in the future there will be only a barren land remaining for our future generations.

Therefore it is our duty to protect nature and beautify our environment and our lives. Let us protect nature; it will protect us.

S. Sindu Shamini, Grade 9-A (English Medium), R/Rathnaloka Maha Vidyalaya, Rakwana.