The forest - our lifeline

Winner:

There are many valuable natural resources in the world and a forest is one of them. Many plants and animals grow and thrive in the forests. Several trees, shrubs, mosses and mushrooms and also animals such as birds, mammals, insects ,snakes and frogs live in the forest.

Approximately one-third of the world is covered with forests. However, not all the forests are the same. They are different, due to their location.

According to the height of plants and trees, forests can be divided into three layers. They are the canopy, crown and understorey.

The uppermost layer, which acts as a roof, is called the canopy. The second layer consists of trees that branch off from the trunk. The third layer is very shady and less light is available. This layer is called understorey.

There are many uses of forests. A majority of all living creatures including humans depend on forests directly or indirectly. Trees are very useful to us. We get timber such as sal, mahogany, teak and rosewood from the trees in forests. We also get firewood, ayurvedic medicines and essential oils make soaps, cosmetics, incense and medicines from the forests.

Forests also provide resins (for making varnish and paint), latex (for making rubber), bamboo (as fodder, manufacture of paper, pulp and baskets), cane (for making walking sticks, furniture, baskets) and fibre such as cotton, jute, linen, hemp, flax and ramie.

The roots of trees hold the soil particles together and thus prevents soil erosion and floods.

Trees also regulate the climate of a place. Some trees act as shields or wind breakers to protect the land from strong winds and the elements.

Forests also help in purifying the air they take in carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas, for photosynthesis (making their own food), and release oxygen (a by-product).

Forests are known as a sink for carbon dioxide released by various plant and human activities.

In spite of all the uses, people destroy forests. Deforestation is one of the main causes of climate change. If forests disappear, there will be no control of the amount of greenhouse gases emitted.

Natural resources such as timber, medicinal plants, fruits and nuts will be depleted but flooding and soil erosion would increase.

We have to conserve forests. Some ways in which we can conserve forests are afforestation, planned cultivations, preventing illegal logging overgrasing and protection from forest fires. It is clear that forests are our lifeline. They are referred to as the ‘lungs’ of the Earth. So, let’s protect forests!

J. Randhula Gajadheera
Willesden College International,
Battaramulla.

Gems - an important export of Sri Lanka

Winner:

Sri Lanka has been famous for gemstones from ancient times. It is an important export today. Many areas in the Sabaragamuwa province are well known for gems. Ratnapura is the most important region for gems. Ratnapura means the “City of Gems”. It has a gem museums displaying the wide range of gems available in the country.Tourmalines, spinals, topazes, garnets and amethysts are some of the precious stones found in Sri Lanka.

The blue sapphire is considered to be the queen of Sri Lankan gems. The 400 carat blue sapphire called the Blue Bell which adorns the British crown is said to be from Sri Lanka.

The cutting of gems is a specialised trade. Gems are cut and polished before they are set. Different regions in the country have different ways of making jewellery. Gems are generally worn for their beauty. People also believe that gems have the power to bring luck and ward off evil.

R.A. Senura Rashmika
Grade 7 - E,
Mahinda College,
Galle.

The value of English

Winner:

English is the most widely used language in the world. “English can be regarded as the window to the world.” This was expressed by a former Prime Minister of India, the late Jawaharlal Nehru.

English is important not only as an international language, but also as a language of trade, a second language and a language of everyday life to many around the world.

Countries such as England, the USA, Canada, Australia and several parts of Africa, use English as their mother tongue.

In commonwealth countries such as Sri Lanka, India and Malaysia, it is the second language.

English plays an important role as a link language. It promotes good relations among all the communities. If we know English we can communicate with other ethnic groups easily.

English is used as the official language of communication in all the international organisations such as SAARC, UNO, UNICEF and IMF.

In the modern world most books are written in English.It is essential for higher studies too. Therefore, without a knowledge of English no one can pursue a specialised course of study on any subject. For those who seek foreign employment too English is indispensable.

M.A. Kaveesha Piyumini
Grade 9-C,
Sujatha Vidyalaya, Matara.

My trip to Germany

It was an enjoyable day for our family. On April 17 this year we made a trip to Germany. The flight took ten hours to reach Frankfurt. From the Frankfurt Airport we took an express train to Fulda train station. When we reached there my father's friends, uncle Danial and Aunt Maria were waiting for us. They gave us a warm welcome. They took us to the town where they live which is called Bad Salzungan. It took one hour by car to reach the place. We stayed in the Bad Salzunger Hotel in town. It's a small town famous for salt mines. Uncle Danial has a factory which manufactures machines for the timber industry. We went to the factory and spent a few hours there.

During our stay they took us to some very interesting places in the area. The most interesting and adventurous trip was a visit to a salt mine named Erlebnis Bergwerk Merkers. The mine is 800 metres below the ground level. There is a special elevator to go into the mine. We took the elevator and went down 500 metres below the ground level. Then we went another 300 metres down by truck. We felt we were in another world.

The weather in the mine was similar to that of Sri Lanka. You will be surprised to learn that there are over 4,000 km long tunnels in this mine. We travelled about 30 km. We stopped at many places and there are stages for musical shows, souvenir shops, and so on.

Aunt Maria told us the salt is like gold for them. The salt is used fr many things such as to spread on the roads during the heavy snow, to make medicines and chemicals and also for cooking. We received small salt tubs as souvenirs.

Germany is a clean, nice and highly developed country. It is developed in agriculture too. German people are very kind and friendly. We had a lovely time there.

We came back to Sri Lanka on April 28. We had a safe flight. The SriLankan air hostesses gave my brother and me some gifts.

Eranda Lukshan Niyangoda
Grade 8-C,
Dharmaraja College, Kandy.

[Your poems]

Friendship - a strong bond

Winner:

Friendship is the greatest thing in the world,
It shows unity, equality and strength,
It shows that we are all one,
Friendship is mightier than the sun,
It is a strong bond,
You cannot break it, even with a magic wand,
There is a special day to celebrate friendship,
This day is celebrated throughout the world,
This day will not stay,
Even if you cry all day,
But the bond of friendship will stay strong,
And protect things from going wrong!

F. Amani Azeer, Grade 7, Harcourts International School.

The lighthouse

Winner:

It reigns supreme in the lonely sea
I wonder how it bears the rough waves of the sea
A saviour to the people who travel in the sea
It gives signals to go in the right way,
Like religion which teaches the correct pathway
For men at sea, it’s a palace they pass on their way
Twenty four hours it is on alert, though we aren’t
As the only house which works for others,
It’s a tower which protects all living beings
Refreshing memories of seafarers about the land
Wiping away their tears, just like a mother
In times of storms and danger
Let’s show our gratitude to this saviour,the lighthouse.

Vishmi Kumarasinghe, Grade 10, Musaeus College.