New technology

Winner:

It is almost impossible to do anything without the help of machinery in modern society. People have been influenced to do their daily work using several modern machines and gadgets. And there is a familiar machine to all of us which is used for various purposes such as commerce, education, administration, entertainment, travel transport, communication etc. Yes. It is the one and only computer without any arguments.

The electronic device with a monitor, key board, mouse and processing unit called a computer has conquered the world. We can see computer usage almost everywhere in the world for every purpose, without any man power based activities.No country can survive without using this technology due to the globalisation concept. The computer is a key part of globalisation and the subject of ICT has been introduced to the school curriculum based on the computer.

But everything has two sides and a computer too has positive and negative effects. There are many positive effects. But according to some, the computer is a menace because it has some negative effects, especially to children's education as they waste a lot of time playing computer games and browsing unsuitable sites. Computers can be harmful to our eyesight and to the environment too because they are discarded eventually and are not biodegradable. It may also encourage young people to be violent via links with the outside world.

The computer introduced by Charles Babbage must be used only for the betterment of everybody. So friends, keep out the negative effects and always try to use computers for good things. And make your friend the computer, invaluable.

A. A. Malmi Shamilka Athauda,

Grade 12,

Ku/Giri/Wickramashila National School,Giriulla.

Your poems:

It's you, who should be worshipped

Winner:

The cold and refreshing rain

Washing away all anger, hate and tears

Replacing them with love and hope

Brave soldiers, it is you who achieved this

The darkened future of all

who faced the cruel war,

Is getting clearer and

brighter with hope

Mother Lanka shall suffer no more

Her noble, brave and loyal children,

The soldiers...

Have given her what she

wanted most

Peace, peace, peace at last!

For achieving this peace

with dedication

For shedding sweat, tears and

Blood for those in need,

For giving the world more smiles

and love,

Dear noble soldiers

It is you who should be worshipped!

By Ruchini Abyekoon

Year 10,

Girls High School,Kandy.

Modern phones

Winner:

A mobile phone plays a key role in our day-to-day life in today's world. With the development of modern technology, mobile phones come in different shapes, sizes and features. They also come in different colours such as black, silver, gold, red and so on. These colourful mobiles with various features attract many people to buy them.

Mobile phones or mobiles, as they are referred to, have so many advantages. We can not only call each other, but we can also send text messages, known as SMS, control the volume (sound) read current news, play games, listen to songs and even download songs. As mobile phones are very small, we can carry them easily and also handle them without any problems.So, in my point of view, mobile phones play an important role in our day-to-day life and are a necessity today. They are a great invention.

Piumi Jayalath,

Grade 10-B,

Rathnawali BV,

Gampaha.

Environment pollution must stop

Winner:

The environment comprises water, air, soil, sunlight, trees, forest, creepers and everything else in our surrounding that is useful for the existence of all living beings. There are different authorities in Sri Lanka dealing with matters related to the environment. Without the permission of these authorities people cannot do any development projects.In fact, without the permission of the relevant authorities people cannot even cut down trees and do anything to existing forests in the country. But despite all the laws and restrictions many people in the world including Sri Lanka pollute and destroy the environment.

How do people pollute the environment? People pollute the land, water and air mostly by throwing garbage on the roads and all over the place. The rich soil becomes unfertile when polythene, plastic and chemicals are added to the soil. As a result of this unfertile soil people cannot plant any trees or crops. Water is also polluted by throwing garbage into the water and connecting drainage systems of hospitals and factories to waterways. The air is polluted by releasing black smoke from vehicles and factories.As a result of water and land pollution many diseases spread. Even sound pollution has led to many hearing problems.

We can protect the environment from such pollution by refraining from throwing garbage into the water and on roads. We can stop using polythene and reduce the use of plastics. We must ensure that waterways are not connected to drainage systems of factories. We must also minimise the felling of trees and plant new ones if and when we cut them down.

By cutting down trees, one day our Motherland and the entire world will become a desert. So, protect the environment and keep it clean for our good and for the future generations.

W. Tharaka Vidurangi,

Grade 9-A,

St. Thomas' Girls High School,

Matara.

Newspapers

Winner:

Newspapers bring us news and information from all corners of the world and help build our knowledge too. It is difficult to imagine life without newspapers. It is the first thing that we look for every morning because even if the electronic media enlightens us about what's happening around us we still like to see it in print. Newspapers link us with the rest of the world.

Newspapers are important pillars in a democracy. They are also the best medium of advertisement. All newspapers carry information for adults, children and have special sections for children, business, sports, news and features. They also help us find employment.Newspapers are a good pass time for my grandparents. My father and mother read them daily. I try to read at least the main headlines in them.

M. Thilurshika,

Grade 4-D, Hindu Ladies College,Colombo