Let's minimise disasters

Winner:

Today we are experiencing many disasters both man-made and natural. The worst disaster we experienced in the recent past is the tsunami in 2004. It affected many countries in the Asian region including our little island. Several thousands of people lost their lives and a number of valuable property too was destroyed. Everything was washed away into the sea. We cannot forget this tsunami which hit us on December 26, nearly seven years ago. Many still suffer from its effects,especially those who lost their family and loved ones.

Japan faced another tsunami which was very destructive recently. The number of disasters is increasing yearly. Some of these disasters are as a result of man's foolish actions. People pollute the land, the air and the water increasing global warming. Their careless actions lead to many natural disasters following climatic changes.

Then there are people who construct houses and other buildings along river valleys obstructing the natural drainage systems. When these systems of natural water flows are blocked, the waters overflows and it leads to severe flooding.Deforestation too is another cause for landslides and earth-slips which are disastrous.

The Government has taken many measures to minimise the impact of natural disasters and prevent further man-made disasters around the country.

We should also do our part to minimise and prevent such disasters by not adding to global warming and also by refraining from blocking drainages systems and so on.

Is is said that animals sense the danger long before a natural disaster takes place .Even during the 2004 tsunami many animals, especially in our national parks have fled to higher ground. It is not only the animals on the ground that react so but also birds show signs of distress. We have seen how large flocks of birds fly about before such a disaster takes place. They are good warning signals for us.

We must do whatever possible to support the Government in its efforts to minimise the impact of any type of disaster.

Azraa Saheed,
Grade 6
Lead the Way Girls' International, Dehiwala.

Christmas cheer

Winner:

Christmas comes with good cheer , laughter and peace
Before Christmas the shops are full of
exciting things
Mothers and fathers ,brothers and sisters
Uncles and aunts and friends
All going shopping for suitable gifts
To give their loved ones and friends

From the kitchen comes the aroma of delicious food
Being prepared to share during the season
Christmas cake,puddings and pies,
Roast turkey ,chicken and sweetmeats too
And there are chocolates in large boxes

The whole house is decorated with streamers
and bulbs
Colourful balloons hang from the ceiling
Side by side On Christmas Day
Families and friends gather round
To sing carols under the tree
The presents which have been lovingly wrapped
Are kept under the tree with name tags
The children hang up large stockings on Christmas eve
And keep checking on them when no one is looking
To see if Santa has brought all they want

Linoja Lakmanthee Mendis,
Grade 6-B
Rathnavali B.V., Gampaha.

My best friend

My best friend is Nimesh
He is eight.
He can run.
His hobby is singing.
He likes cake.
He can play cricket.
His favourite drink is milk.
He has long hair.
He is a good friend.
I love him.

H. M. Ashinsana Nethidu Senavirathna,
Grade 3,
NK/Jayanthi Navodya MMV, Nikaweratiya.

Christmas has come!

Winner:

Blue bells are ringing
And the sound is blowing
Flying so high
Hoping to reach the sky
Why is it trying,
To reach the sky
Why does the jingle bell voice
Speak to the sky
Oh! its inviting the snow
To come down to the ground
And to hide the world
Under its cold whiteness
Trees wear white coats
And the blue streams
Change their veils into white
Snowflakes are coming down,
In a mighty hurry
Using their magic
To make everywhere
A glistening white
Making everyone smile
The cold wind says
“Hey it’s Christmas time!”

Melani de Silva,
Year 11 C,
Holy Cross College, Gampaha.

Why cage animals?

Winner:

Like human beings, animals also have the right to live freely. Animals caged in zoos do not have the freedom to roam. They may get food but it may not be given when they are hungry but at the time convenient to the zoo keepers. Most things happen according to the wishes of the zoo keepers.

They are helpless. Some animals are separated from their parents or their group members when they are kept in zoos. The advantage for animals staying in a zoo is that they are protected from hunters and predators. But still, my opinion is that they should not be kept in zoos.

Pasindu Eranga
Grade 7,
Hejaaz International School,
Mt.Lavinia.

Cultivate good manners

Winner:

Good manners are important. A person without good manners is not respected by many. To be a good citizen we must have good manners. People send children to school not only to get an academic education but also to build up their character and personalities. Good manners are a vital part of this process.

Good manners mean the manner in which we should behave in society. We must try to be good to others. We should not do or say anything rude or bad to people and behave in ways not accepted by society.

Good manners should be always observed. We must say “Thank you” if someone has done us a kind deed and always be very polite to others. We must always help the old, the sick, the blind and differently - abled people.

We must not pluck flowers or pick fruits in other peoples gardens. It is a very bad habit. We must always excuse ourselves when we need to interrupt a conversation to draw someone’s attention.If we behave well we can be good citizens in the future. Elders as well as children must always cultivate good manners and behave in an accepted manner in society.

Vinudhi Amarasinghe,
Grade 5C,
Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo.

A gift of nature

The coconut tree is found in many parts of Sri Lanka. It grows especially well in the North Western part of the country.

There is an area called the “Coconut Triangle,” connecting the towns of Chilaw, Puttalam and Kurunegala where the coconut plantation is heavily concentrated.

The coconut tree is a gift of nature because it is useful to people in many different ways. Every part of the tree - fruit, leaves, trunk, shell - is used to make something useful. The coconut tree is called Kapruka in Sinhala due to its value.

It does not have a main root. It belongs to the Palm family. There are branches in this tree. The botanical term of the tree is “Cocos nucifera.” It grows well in the coastal area.

Coconut branches are used by many villagers to make roofs for houses. They are called cadjan thatched roofs.

The fibre of the tree is used to make brooms and mattresses. Ekel brooms are also made from the branches of coconut trees. Many ornaments and utility items like spoons are made out of coconut shell.

Sri Lankans use coconut milk and coconut oil in large quantities when preparing food.

The tender leaves and flowers of the coconut tree are used in our traditional art decoration. The trunk of the tree is used as rafters when building houses.

The coconut tree, therefore, is an invaluable for us.

P.K.D. Pavani Lilaksha Prabodhani,
Grade 9D,
Buddhist Girls’ College,
Mount Lavinia.