The value of sports

Winner:

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy ,“is a popular saying. All of you will agree with this saying. In fact it stresses the importance of extra curricular activities, especially sports.

We are aware of the fact that no education is complete without sports. To do our studies we must be physically fit as well. When we are physically fit, we will also be mentally fit. Then we will be able to do everything successfully.

When a person does not take part in sports he will always be weak in both mind and body. Sports teaches us many valuable lessons too; to take victory and defeat in the right spirit and also to be patient. Sports guides us to be good leaders in the future.

My ambition is to be a great sportsman someday. As a sportsman I will never be discouraged by anything. I will be ready to take up any challenge that comes my way.

Sports teaches us to be patient, honest polite, obedient, loyal, intelligent and enthusiastic. The value of sports is highlighted by all this. That is why it is said that no education is complete without sports.

Gayashan P. Dias,
Grade 8,
Seethawaka National College,
Avissawella.

Why I want to be a pilot

I wish to be a pilot when I grow up. It is not easy to become an efficient and successful pilot. We should study hard and get good results, especially in mathematics. It will take about eight years to finish all the training and become a qualified pilot.

Many people in the world today travel from one country to another mostly by planes. A pilot must have good experience to fly a plane.

Akeel Rifkhaz,
Grade 5,
Hejaaz International School,
Mt. Lavinia.

My village

Winner:

My village Ambakandawila is a coastal hamlet in the Puttlam District, in the North-Western province. It is a village situated in between the lagoon and the sea. There are many coconut trees as it is the main plantation here. However, the main industry in my village is prawn farming. There are a number of prawn farms and hatcheries.

Most of the people in my village are Catholics and they are fishermen. But there are people who do other jobs as well. The school, the post office, the bank, the church and the co-operative shop are the important places in my village. It is famous for fish, prawns and crabs. Many outsiders come to our village to buy these things.

The sea and the beach enhance the scenic beauty of my village. But the roaring waves of the sea sometimes make us scared because it reminds us of the dreadful tragedy - the tsunami in 2004.

W. Mahesha Pabashi Hasarangi Fernando,
Grade 6,
St.Mary’s Primary Balika
Vidyalaya.

Hello, to the budding year!

Winner:

Let us all step into a new beginning,
Let us make it the best new year ever,
By leaving behind all our sorrows,
And taking forward all our joys.

May this new year fill our hearts with love and joy,
And may it bless everyone,
May this new year be one where everyone enjoys,
And may it fulfil all our best expectations.

Let us make it a very happy new year,
Accepting any challenge without tear,
Having new plans, new hopes and new efforts,
All these budding freshly in delight.

Some say it’s going to be the world’s end
At the end of the year 2012.
Even if it is so, let us face it my dear friends.
Before all that, say hello to the budding new year.

So before the memories fade,
Before the sun dawns,
Let me wish everyone of you
A very Happy New Year - 2012 !

Madhushi Dinuththara Palliyaguruge,
Grade 10,
Lyceum International, Nugegoda.

Never laugh at losers

Winner:

‘Is losing a cause to laugh?’ If I ask you this question you may answer it by saying ‘yes’. But I don’t agree with you. Just think of a little spider trying to weave a web on a wall. It keeps trying to go up the wall but it falls down. It climbs, again and again. Ultimately, it maintains its balance and goes up to the ceiling. Take it as an example in life.

I think when someone loses it is a blessing. Some can laugh at my point of view,but it’s the truth. Through losing, a person can understand his mistakes and win in the next round.

Winning is necessary. But don’t forget there are some people in the world who have eventually destroyed their lives as a result of winning everything they want in life’.

If we laugh at losers they will become discouraged and be obsessed with their failure. But if we advise them and show the correct path, they will understand their weaknesses and then improve their skills.

So, if you are a loser, don’t lose heart. Go to your objective in a skilful way.

I like to finish my article with the great saying.

“Try and try. One day you can fly”.

Chirathma Hirudini,
Grade 8-F,
Sri Sumangala Girls School,
Panadura.

Peace leads to development

Winner:

Protecting something is more difficult than achieving it. In the past years terrorism was the main reason for the country’s downfall. It was like a devil in Sri Lankan’s hearts. Many people suffered from it and it made a great impact on Mother Sri Lanka. Many Sri Lankans, irrespective of caste, creed or race died as a result of it.

The terrorists damaged many significant places in Sri Lanka, especially economically sensitive places and also places of religious significance such as the airport, Central Bank and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relicl. The economy of Sri Lanka was greatly affected because of LTTE terrorism.

Many Sri Lankans led very difficult and sorrowful lives. Most parents were frightened about the security of their children. They feared for the lives of their children due to bomb explosions and waited anxiously until they came home safely .

Many parents protected their children by giving their time to provide security to schools. Bombs exploded in different places and many lost their lives.

This situation was a difficult one for all of us, but now there are no such problems. The people live without any fear because the terrorist threat has been eliminated. We should protect this peace we have won after 30 years and live as one nation.

We should live in harmony respecting the differences among the various ethnic communities and protect the peace we have won for our motherland.

Today many foreigners visit Sri Lanka without any fear because of the peaceful environment in the country. With the development of tourism many small industries too will improve.

In the past the Government spent heavily to overcome terrorism but now that money is saved because there is no terrorist threat in the country. So, the Government can utilise that money to develop the country.

The infrastructure facilities of the country can be improved. The Southern expressway and the Magampura harbour are the results of it. People can start new industries due to improved infrastructure facilities.

It is clear that the country’s development leads to the development of the people’s living and financial standards.

We must live as one nation without creating any problems. Then the country can achieve recognition in the world. All these things can lead to the country’s development.

Lakshan Wickramaarachchi,
Rahula College,
Matara.

In a new class

I am happy to be in a new class, Grade 3-D. My favourite subject is Buddhism. As I had scored 100 marks in every test paper my parents presented me with a parrot.It can talk and repeat whatever I say.

I am very happy. I got many presents such as a duck which lays eggs, a new pair of shoes and new books. During the vacation I eagerly waited to meet my teacher in the new class.

Sahana V. Abeysinghe,
Grade 3,
Rahula Primary College, Matara.

I love my pet

My pet is a cat. Its name is Kitty. It likes to eat fish and drink milk. Its colour is brown. Its tail is long.I love my pet.

Kavindi Pabasara,
Grade 1E, Negombo South
International School,
Nittambuwa.