Our pilgrimage to Kataragama

Winner:

We went to Kataragama on December 24, 2008. On our way, we passed Galle, Matara, Tangalle and Hambantota. First we worshipped the Matara Veherahena temple. The huge statue of the Buddha and the wall-paintings in the tunnel shrine were very beautiful.

Next, we visited the ancient temple of Dondra (Devundara). First we offered flowers to the Buddha in the temple's shrine. Thereafter we offered a basket of fruits to the God Vishnu and imparted merits on him. On our way we saw the wide blue sea. We had our lunch on the beautiful beach of Tangalle.

At about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, we arrived in Kataragama. Our first place of worship there was the Kirivehera. It was gleaming in white. A long time ago, the Buddha had visited this place and delivered a sermon to King Mahasena who ruled Kataragama at that time. The King had attained the state of 'Sothapanna' after hearing the Buddha's discourse.

The King had built the beautiful Kirivehera on that sacred land with pleasant thoughts. Most Buddhists believe that the King was reborn as the God of Kataragama. We offered 'Gilanpasa Buddha Pooja' to the sacred Kirivehera and offered flowers and incense and lit lamps. Thereafter we imparted merits on the God.

The next morning, we went to Sellakataragama. We put popcorn into the Menik river for the shoals of fish near the river bank.

We worshipped the Buddha and went to the kovil of the God Ganesh and imparted merits on him. The Hindus believe that the God Ganesh is the younger brother of the God of Kataragama, who is known as Skandha Kumara. The God Ganesh has the face of an elephant and the body of a humanbeing.

Next we worshipped the Tissamaharama Stupa and saw the Tissa tank. On our way home, we saw wild elephants at the Udawalawe Park. We also visited the temple of the God Saman in Ratnapura.

It was a most enjoyable trip.

Himeth Wimalagunaratne,

Grade 3A, Mahanama College, Colombo 3.
 

My imaginary friend

Winner:

When I was small, I had an imaginary friend. She didn't exactly have a name, but she was always sort of there. Whenever I was in a vehicle or whenever I felt lonely, I used to pretend that she was sitting next to me, helping me with whatever I was doing.

If I had done something naughty, and got caught, it was always easy to say "she did it". But after trying this a couple of times I started feeling sorry for her. So, I apologised to her. I never spoke out loud to her no matter whether there were people around or not. Soon we became close friends.

Once I reached the age of 11 or 12, my "friend" became my personal diary. Now I write everything down in her. Her name is Anne.

She was named after Anne Frank. So, instead of "telling" her everything in whispers, I write down everything about me and everyone I know about in my diary when I feel lonely and when I am excited about something.

As Anne Frank wrote in her diary, "paper can keep secrets better than people". So, if and when you are bursting to tell something to someone and no one is around, write it down in your diary!

Ruchini Abayakoon,

Girls' High School, Kandy.
 

Parents - our best friends

Our parents are the most lovable people on Earth. They are our best friends. They are always concerned about our welfare. They feed us and clothe us. They lovingly provide us all our needs. They teach us what is good and bad. They are kind to us.

Our parents in fact sacrifice so many things for us. They send us to school. When we return they eagerly wait for us. They hug and kiss us. They inquire about our activities in school and help us with our work. They play with us.

It is therefore our duty to love our parents. They are our greatest gift. We must honour and respect them. We must obey and please them.

Randeel Galwin,

Grade 6, Atamie International School, Wattala.
 

Winner:

Your poems Where are you?

Oh! Mother Peace,
Where are you?
All of us wait
Until you come
As the flower blooms,
In the garden,
And add beauty
To that area.
Why don't you bloom
As a flower
Which brings peace
and happiness
To the whole world?
Oh! Peace, where are you?

M. N. M. Afrath,

Grade 8 (English Medium), Baduriya Central College, Mawanella.
 

A trip to Galle

Winner:

There are many beautiful and historic places which are worth seeing in Sri Lanka. On November 14, last year we went on an educational trip to Galle from our school to see some such interesting places. It was a very happy day for all of us.We collected our belongings and gathered in the school premises. When the bus got on to the congested Galle Road, we started singing, dancing and playing.

First we went to the Galle Harbour. It was one of the natural harbours in Sri Lanka along with the Hambantota and Trincomalee Harbours. Ships come to harbours for different requirements, such as for repairs and to stock up on food and water. Fishing is very common in the Galle area as the place is surrounded by the sea. We saw many boats and fishermen too.In the afternoon we came to Koggala to visit the Martin Wickramasingha Museum. The museum was a very important and fascinating place. There, we learnt a lot about the history and the culture of the Southern Province. Many things were displayed at this place. We saw many old things, the books, Wickramasinghe wrote, some of the mementoes and awards he had got. There were various types of carts and boats, which had carried passengers, oil and goods in those days. There was an old sekkuwa too. A sekkuwa is an implement used for extracting oil from coconuts.After that we went to the beach where we played for a while. Then we went to see the Galle Fort. The Fort is one of the most important places in the Southern part of Sri Lanka. It was a Dutch Fort.Throughout the journey, our teachers gave us information, advice and instructions. I enjoyed myself very much and learnt a lot through this trip.

Shishan de Silva,

Grade 4-B,Victoria International College, Kiribathgoda.
 

Pleasures of reading

Winner:

Human beings always seek pleasure. They simply do some things for pleasure. Some of these activities like skydiving, surfing and hunting may be very dangerous and risky.

There are also various games, sports and hobbies which give pleasure to people.By reading, you get a very unique pleasure. Some means of gaining pleasure may be very expensive and dangerous, but reading is very healthy and economical.

There is a wide range of books and magazines to read. You can take philosophy, biography, poetry, drama, fiction, short stories or travel as your subject. You can choose comics or detective stories.Reading is very beneficial; you can expand and improve your vocabulary, experience, knowledge and skills of expression. Francis Bacon once said, “Reading makes a full man; conference a ready man and writing an exact man.” Reading should be developed at an early age, but that does not mean that it cannot be had at an advanced age. However, it is best cultivated at a young age.

Reading does not need another person’s company; it does not make a person idle.

A lover of books is never lonely. Books can be borrowed from friends or libraries or they can be bought.

Books enlighten us. Money spent on books is a sound investment. The benefits of reading cannot be expressed in words.

Books that are read should be good books. You can get help and advice from older people on what books to read. The pleasure of reading can be created. Reading good books makes us more humane.

Tabitha Robert,

Ladies’ College, Colombo 7.