Spending my leisure in a useful manner

Winner:

My hobbies keep me occupied every minute of my leisure time in a most pleasant manner. They have definitely done a world of good to me by providing me with an ideal orm of recreation in my free time.

Stamp collecting occupies an important place among my hobbies. It was an uncle of mine who introduced it to me about six years ago. I have been pursuing it ever since. At present I have about 1,500 stamps collected from all over the world. My friends collecting stamps, penpals and many other people have helped me to build up this great collection. I find that my stamps are worth a fortune.

My next preference is gardening. I find a happy world of my own in my vegetable plot, planted with ladies fingers, brinjals, tomatoes and capsicum. Walking among these plants, tending, watering and manuring them, and finally beholding the beautiful sight of their crop triumphantly swaying in the wind, are a most satisfying way of passing my free time, indeed. Drawing water from the nearby well and watering the plants regularly also ensure regular physical exercise. It is with much pride that I consume the fresh produce of my own vegetable plot.

I feel that I have chosen the right kind of hobbies to pass my leisure time in a useful manner.

D.M. Chamodi Shashikala,

Grade 9B, Sri Rahula College,

Katugastota.

Festivals promote peace and harmony

Winner:

We as Sri Lankans celebrate different festivals according to our culture, traditions, religions and races. Our nation comprises many communities such as the Sinhalese, Tamils, Burghers and Muslims. All these people celebrate their own special festivals in the country fostering peace and harmony in the nation.

Tamils celebrate Thai Pongal in January. But one of the most important festivals celebrated in Sri Lanka is the Sinhala and Tamil New Year which falls during the month of April each year. It is generally celebrated on April 14 islandwide. A majority of people celebrate this festival with great joy and happiness. They clean their houses and prepare the special new year food together with their family members. The food is shared with others which is one of the best ways of promoting peace and harmony. Other communities too share their festival food with us and this custom promotes ethnic harmony.Vesak is another important religious celebration observed mostly by the Buddhists during the month of May. Peace is highlighted in the sermons given by the Buddhist monks during Vesak. All communities get together and light Vesak lanterns and oil lamps and gather as one community to sing Vesak bhakthi gee. The Dalada Perahera is also another cultural festival celebrated in Kandy during the month of August every year. Many tourists visit Kandy to watch this great pageant which is rich in traditions and has a great history.People from all communities too gather to witness this famous pageant during this season. This festival too is an ideal time to create an awareness of the value of peace and harmony in our nation.The festival of lights or Deepavali is celebrated in the month of November by the Hindus. They too send food to their neighbours during their festivals.

Catholics celebrate Christmas on December 25 every year to mark the birth of Jesus Christ. He is called the Prince of Peace as he was born as a symbol of peace to all mankind. He preached the message of peace. All Christians attend Holy Mass held in churches as one family. They also visit their neighbours and relatives and share the spirit of Christmas with everyone. This celebration too as a festival brings peace and harmony to our nation.Muslims celebrate Ramazan after a certain period of fasting. The date of the festival varies. Muslims too prepare special food, especially the famous wattalappan along with other sweetmeat and invite their family members, friends and neighbours to celebrate this festival.

All these festivals promote the value of being together in peace and harmony.

Dulmani Atapattu,

St. Lawrence’s Convent,

Grade 6D,

Colombo 6.

Your Poems

Rain, gives life

Winner:

Like gems and pearls,

Falling on to the ground,

With thunder and lightning,

You bring us sleepless nights.

You fill rivers, lakes and reservoirs,

Bring life to plants, fruits and crops,

We cannot live without you,

And we are thankful to you.

Magnificent watefalland long rivers,

Go forward but they never reverse,

Humans, plants and animals,

Live their lives because it rains.

M. Amritha Gunawardena,

Grade 9C,

Devi Balika Vidyalaya,

Colombo 8.

Stop pollution

Winner:

The Municipal Council warns people to keep their environment clean especially with the Dengue Eradication Programme now on. We should not throw litter all over the place. We should put away refuse into bins to avoid pollution. Drains should be kept clean and stagnant water removed to prevent infectious diseases from spreading through mosquitoes.

When spoilt food is thrown out on to the roads, even in polythene bags, dogs, cats, cows and crows scatter the food all over and the odour is terrible. When water is polluted by disposing rubbish into the waterways in large quantities and oil spills take place in the oceans, many diseases are caused and marine life too is destroyed.

Air is also polluted by toxic gases and smoke released from the factories. Motor vehicles and machines send out poisonous smoke and fill the air with unpleasant disturbing noises. Pollution can cause various illnesses and kill many living beings.So, let us stop pollution and find a good solution! Therefore, make sure to keep the environment clean and be a lover of nature.

Dilruckshan Kesavan,

Grade 6C,

S. Thomas' Preparatory School,

Colombo 3.

Respect teachers

Winner:

All religions encourage us to respect our teachers. Their position is similar to that of our parents. They teach us good things and help us to learn. They teach us how to read and write and many important things we did not know before. We should listen carefully to what they teach us, and do what they ask us to do in the classroom. When they give us homework, we must do it and also obey them at all times.

We should also respect and honour them always. They are engaged in a very noble and difficult task. Teaching is a very difficult job as they have to mould the students and show them the right path.

If they need any help from us we should readily offer it to them. We should be good and kind to them. If we do something wrong, we must ask them to pardon us.

Teachers are pleased when we excel in learning and practice good behaviour. They always wish us success in life. We should pray for them to be successful, happy, healthy and have a long life.

Afrah Zaffer,

Grade 7C,

St. Lawrence's Convent,

Colombo 6.