Winner:

Natural disasters can occur anywhere in the world, at any time. They bring in adverse results such as loss of life and property.

As many of these natural disasters strike us unexpectedly, we are not prepared to take preventive measures. These disasters mostly occur due to the rising temperature of the Earth or as a result of human negligence.

Some of these natural disasters are floods, landslides, lightning, tsunami, droughts and cyclones.

One of the worst disasters we had to face very recently was the floods that left many thousands homeless. The landslides that occurred along with the flood have changed the geography of the country to some extent.

Some of these disasters could be the result of human activities like environmental pollution and deforestation. Most natural disasters occur due to physical, climatic or geological factors.

Such disasters could be prevented to a certain degree by minimising the felling of trees for personal use and by not polluting the water, air and land.We could prepare ourselves to face some of these disasters by listening to news and weather forecasts.

We need to be a little more vigilant about natural disasters these days because they occur more frequently than in the past.

So, let’s be ready to face any future disaster that may occur in our country and also help those who are affected by the recent calamity.

T. H. Chamodi Rosanjala,

Grade 9D, Girls’ College,

Dankotuwa.

Hobbies I love

Winner:

Leisure is free time we can spend doing various kinds of activities. We should spend our leisure fruitfully.

There are various kinds of leisure activities such as gardening, swimming, drawing, playing cricket, playing computer games and collecting stamps.Collecting stamps is my leisure activity.

It increases my knowledge about the world. I have over a thousand stamps which I have pasted in five albums.

We can learn a lot about a country through its stamps. I started collecting stamps at the age of ten.Gardening is also a very useful activity I indulge in. My garden is big and I have planted various kinds of fruits, vegetables and flowers. Some of the fruits are papaw, pineapples and roseapples (jambu). Some of the vegetables I have planted are bringals, pumpkins and tomatoes. The flowers in my garden are shoe flowers, sunflowers, orchids and roses.

I water the plants everyday. Birds, butterflies and bees visit the garden.Sometimes I also read books, magazines and newspapers during my leisure.

It also helps improve my general knowledge and also gives me pleasure. There are various types of interesting books to read.I totally agree with the saying that “Reading maketh a full man”.

Ahamed Zubair,

Grade 8B, (English Medium)

Zahira College, Colombo 10.

Myself

My name is Hiruni Hansika. I am 13 years old. I live in Japalawatta. I am a Buddhist. I am fair in complexion.

My school is Mi/Nalanda Girls’ Central College. I am in Grade 8.I can learn well. My favourite subjects are English and Science. I like to eat rice and curry. I dislike meat and milk.

There are four members in my family. They are my father, mother, elder brother and me. My father’s name is Ajith. He is a driver.

My mother’s name is Thusari. She is a good housewife. I am fond of my pet Kitty. My favourite game is volleyball. My hobbies are listening to the radio and reading books. My ambition is to be a doctor.

I.A. Hiruni Hansika,

Grade 8-E,

Mi/Nalanda Girls’ College,

Minuwangoda.

[ Your poems]

Perform your duty well ...

Winner:

In this complex company

Named the world

There are different kinds of agents

Named people

But they have the same responsibility

To make the world a better place ...

To perform their duty well

Protect all your bonds

Among the other agents

Because, the base

And the foundation

Of this large company

Is companionship.

B.R.B. Imaya Kavindi,

Grade 11-A,

M/Beralapanathara Nawodya M.V.,

Beralapanathara.

Parents are a precious gift

Winner:

Parents are the most precious gift we can have in this world. From the day we are born, we spend our lives in their shelter and care.

When we are in trouble, they come to our aid and give us solutions. Parents take good care of us when we are ill. They are the only people who will take good care of us and feed us without expecting anything in return because they love us very much.

We too should take good care of them. As children, we should never try to cheat them and be dishonest to them.

Most youngsters of today do not treat their parents well. Once they become older and stronger they do whatever they want and never obey their parents.

I do not think that it is the way to repay our parents who have given us so much in life.We should try to achieve our goals and become successful in life.

We should have a close relationship with them and try to fulfil their needs and expectations too.

Let us look after our parents well and try to be great personalities in the world to repay them for all what they do for us.

A.P. Umanda Hansamali,

Grade - 9E

Pushpadana Girls’ College, Kandy.

How we know so much about dinosaurs

Winner:

Many of you must be aware of the dinosaurs who lived on the Planet Earth about 230 million years ago. The Mesozoic period must have been very scary. These dinosaurs were large creatures. I guess that you would have learnt at school about these giant animals that are known only by fossils hidden in the Earth.

Scientists find these fossils of dinosaurs from various parts of the Earth. Fossils are the bones of dead dinosaurs buried deep in the ground. These bones gradually became fossilised over the years. Scientists are able to get plenty of information about the dinosaurs by conducting research on these fossils.

Fossils are very delicate and need to be handled with care. The scientists carry out experiments with them taking precautions not to damage them.

Scientists have found fossils in every Continent. Fossils have been found in the Asian Continent in China. They have been discovered from North America and Canada too.

In South America they have been found in Brazil and Argentina. Dinosaur fossils have also been found in Australia and New Zealand.

We know so much about these animals because of these fossils. Will these huge dinosaurs come to Earth again ?

Fathima Shiflo,

Royal International School,

Kurunegala.

Friendship

Man can make a ship, but

It’s difficult to build up a

Good friendship

Ships sail on the sea, but

Friendship sails inside our hearts.

Friendship is a flower

Which blooms

In our heart’s garden

Let it spread its fragrance

Throughout the world.

Princy Thiruchelvam,

Grade 9C,

Pakkiyam National College,

Matale.

My friend

My friend is Kalani. She is eleven-years old.

She lives in Alubomulla. She studies at Sri Sumangala Girls’ School. Kalani has a sister.

She likes to eat fruits. She wears frocks mostly. Her parents have a car.

Her mother is a housewife. I like my friend.

Hirushi Amaya Peiris,

Grade 2,

St. Lawrence Convent.

A visit to India

During the last school vacation my parents and I went on a trip to India. We boarded the flight in the morning and reached India in an hour.

We visited many places in India and the Theme Park was one such place.We did a lot of shopping.

India is a country with varied cultures.There are many languages spoken by the people in the country.

Different parts of India seem like different countries. Bangalore was a clean and pleasant city. I enjoyed my trip to India a lot.

Ishara

Grade 4A,

Learnium International School,

Rajagiriya.