Let’s protect Earth’s ‘Green Canopy’

Winner:

Can you think of Earth without trees? Life on this planet would not be possible without trees. Man in his desire to meet his immediate needs, has forgotten this important fact. He continues to denude forests regardless of consequences.

Many needs of humans are met by trees. They provide timber for the construction of houses and furniture industry, paper, fuel and medicines to name a few.Both man and the animal kingdom depend on trees for food.

Trees also help purify the air. It takes in carbon dioxide and gives out oxygen.

We have cut down forests at such an alarming rate that it has resulted in an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide today. The forest cover which comprises an abundance of trees is an integral part of the environment.

Forests are the natural homes to wildlife. There are many large forests in the world and the vast Amazon Forest is called the lungs of the world.

Trees play a key role in influencing climatic conditions too. With the cutting of forests and over-grazing in Africa, the desert has spread. Trees prevent soil erosion and floods as the roots of trees make the ground porous and help the water to seep in. Trees also cut out the glare of the scorching sun and trap dust.

Modern city planners ensure that trees are grown especially in crowded cities. They make the place cool and add beauty to the area.

Man needs trees for various activities in his day-to-day life but he must remember that merely cutting them to serve his needs will not help. He must also take the initiative to plant new trees whenever he cuts down one tree.

That is why Governments today have started re-afforestation programmes. We must not forget the importance of this green canopy of the Earth, Mother Nature has provided us with a valuable treasure and it’s our duty to protect it.

M. I. Fathima Ishatha,
Grade 12B,
Km/Al - Ashraq National School,
Nintavur.

My motherland

Winner:

The name of my country is Sri Lanka. Its Capital is Sri Jayewardenepura. The official languages are Sinhala and Tamil. The President is Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Prime Minister is D.M. Jayaratne. The Speaker of the House is Chamal Rajapaksa.

The Chief Justice is Mrs. Shirani Bandaranayake.

Sri Lanka is surrounded by the Indian Ocean. The land area of my country measures nearly 2500 square miles, and 30 per cent of it is covered by forests. The natural beauty of the country led to it being called the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean.”

The people comprise several races: Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Malays and Burghers. Sinhala is the language used by the majority community. There are many religions too practised by the people. They are Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. But the majority religion is Buddhism.

The Dalada Maligawa in Kandy and the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura are two places of religious importance for Buddhists. Many ancient ruins are still to be found in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.

The ancient kingdoms tell the glory of Sri Lanka in the days gone by.

The world famous Sigiriya rock fortress where frescoes of exceptional beauty are found was the palace of King Kasyapa. Sri Lanka has also been the centre of Buddhist revival in the days gone by.

Sri Lanka is famous among the European countries because of its natural beauty. Many beautiful waterfalls such as Dunhinda, Lakshapana and Bambarakanda attract tourists. They come to Sri Lanka to see the beauty of these waterfalls and many other picturesque places.

There are many spectacular places such as the Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya and Hakgala Gardens. Most Europeans like the quality tea produced in the country. We export tea, gem stones, coconut, rubber and cinnamon to various countries.

We became a very powerful nation in the ancient days because we had a highly developed agricultural system which, to a great extent depended on irrigation based mainly on its well planned tank system.In the days gone by our country was divided into three main provinces namely, Ruhunu, Pihiti and Maya.

This was the most unfortunate period for our country because Europeans brought the country under their rule. If we could have driven them out of the country then, we would have been the best nation in the world by now. I consider myself fortunate to have been born as a Sri Lankan.

Supuni Weerasuriya,
Grade 7B,
Royal Institute, Nugegoda.

Rainy days

It is rainy on some days. On such days the sky will be covered with dark clouds. We wear warm clothes on such days and drink hot coffee, milk and tea. We mostly play indoor games but we can sail paper boats. We use an umbrella or a raincoat when going out on rainy days. We can see mud puddles on the road. Sometimes we see a rainbow on a rainy day.

F. Lubna Ashker,
Grade 2R,
Ilma International Girls’ School,
Colombo 5.

Good manners add goodness to life

Winner:

Salt adds taste to the food we eat. In the same way good manners add goodness to our lives.There is a good mannered way of doing everything we do in life. Ill-mannered acts make people around us unhappy. If we are good mannered we not only make the people around us happy, but also become people who are respected and accepted in society.

A good mannered person always uses magical words like ‘please’ and ‘thank you.’ He respects his parents, teachers and elders too. He greets his teachers wherever he sees them and offers to help them whenever he can. He is gentle and polite when he talks to them and everyone else..

An ill-mannered person will always be rude and selfish.

He does not bother about the people around him. Such a person has an unpleasant appearance too because he is always unhappy.To be a person with good manners, we must be obedient to our elders. We must always be ready to do what they ask us and behave well. We must strive to cultivate good manners.

Good manners should definitely become a part of a child's life.To be truly good mannered it requires daily practice. We cannot be good mannered one day and ill-mannered the next day. Good manners do not cost us anything but it always pays back with a lot of happiness.

It is not difficult to cultivate good manners. It requires regular practice of being selfless which means putting the feelings of others before our own.

It simply means the following of the golden rule “Do unto others, what you would like them to do to you”.

Praveenya de Silva,
Grade 11,
Good Shepherd Convent,
Panadura.

My friends are a blessing

Winner:

As humans we cannot live alone. We must have friends to share our happiness and sorrow. Good friends are a valuable gift and a source of strength. I have a good group of friends.

They bring joy and laughter to my life.My friends are Hasidhu, Dominick, Raveen, Tharuka, Vinuka and Thenuka. When we are happy we laugh together and when we are sad we cry together. I do many fun activities with them. We love to play hide and seek.

I help my friends in school work and they also help me when needed. I always share secrets with my friends.A good friend always tries to lead his companions in the correct path. “A life without a true friend is just like a dEarth without any life”

I love to spend time with them. I love them very much and believe that I am blessed to have such good friends.

Chamin Iranga Dias,
Grade 4 A,
St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa.

Tribute to my mother

Winner:

A mother is like an
Ever burning candle
With warm bright rays
That shows us the path
When I recall my past
That I spent as a child
Nobody else but my mother
Is drawn in my memory
The way I was fondled in her lap
The way she fed me with her breast
Way I felt the warmth in her embrace
All those memories bring tears to my eyes
Now I am a grown up, preparing
For the O/L examination, but even now when
I read books at night, my beloved mother
Also keeps awake doing some work to expel my loneliness
When I think of her dedicated contribution
Towards my education
I find that the proverb
“One good mother is equal to a hundred school masters”
Is well applicable to my mother

Pasanjith Thenuka Chandrasiri
Grade 11,
Sussex College, Kandy.

My pretty doll

I have a pretty doll
with long golden hair
Pretty blue eyes
and dresses to wear.
One dark night
She disappeared from my sight
My tears flowed fast
And my mother asked why.
Then one day
I heard her call
Under the bed
I found my doll.
Her dress was ragged
Her ribbons were torn
Her eyes were dim
Her shoes looked worn.
Her face lit up
And a smile spread in her face
“I'm really glad to see you,”
She said.
I wrapped her up
In my warmest rug
I gave her a kiss
And also a big hug.

Meleeza Rathnayake,
Grade 9,
Holy Family Convent,
Bambalapitiya.