English - the window to the world

Winner:

As we are aware, English is the most used language in the world. Nearly two thirds of the world population use the English language in their everyday use. In some countries, English is the mother tongue. In many Commonwealth countries such as Sri Lanka, India and Malaysia it is the second language. English is important not only as an international language, but also as a language of trade, as a link language, as a language of mass communication, as a second language, as a language of everyday life and as a means of obtaining foreign employment.

English can be regarded as the window to the world. There are several communities in Sri Lanka and English plays an important role as a link language. It promotes good relations among all communities. If we know English, we can easily communicate with others.

Today the world is advanced in science and technology. Almost all the books on these subjects are written in the English language. If we know English we can read and understand the facts in these books.

Today, the whole world has become a global village through modern methods of communication such as Fax, E-mail, Internet and so on. English is the main language that is used in all these media.

English is essential for higher studies too. Particularly, English is essential to follow certain courses, to read an English book, to use the computer and so on. Apart from this, English is used as the official language of communication of all international organisations such as SAARC, UNO and UNICEF. Those who participate in conferences will be able to contribute effectively if they have a good command of the English language.

So, all of us must be thorough with the English language and should understand the importance of English.

G.M. Udagi Sathsarani,
Brilliant Stars International College,
Matara.

Happiness is wealth

Winner:

In ancient times people were strong and healthy and they lived for more than 90 or 100 years. Don’t forget they also had 10 or 15 children and were very intelligent. How did this happen? The only reason could be happiness. They led simple lives and their needs were few. They worked hard and didn’t pollute the environment. Happiness was a part of their lives.

One day in my village I saw a man who was rich and he came to a party with bodyguards. I noticed that he was not in a good mood. Being curious, I asked my uncle what was wrong with this man. He told me that his only son who was in the UK had not came to see him since he went to London. So, this is a good example that money alone won’t bring happiness.

In the world today there is a lot of unhappiness. On television many sad and troubled stories are telecast. Humane equalities are gradually vanishing. Every religion tells us how to be happy.

As schoolchildren, we must find out the correct way to keep ourselves happy and calm. Whatever we do we must do it with pleasure. Without happiness you will be a human skeleton. Finally it can be said that happiness makes a perfect man.

Himari Nuhansa Sethmi Kulatunga
Grade 6,
Success English College,
Piliyandala.

Our parents

Winner:

A mother and father are two great people who are as powerful as the bright sunlight and show us the golden path of success. They are just like two big trees which give shade and shelter to all the little greeny plants below them and around. They are like two great noble gods who look at us, feel pity for us and have mercy on us. They stroke our heads and teach us to do right. They will never be rude to us.

They are like a massive endless ocean which is as blue as the sky and glisten in the the starry sky, protecting and nourishing us. As mother ocean takes care of sea animals, so do our mother and father. The two words ‘mother’ and ‘father’ are great words which are loved and appreciated by almost every human. It is respected and honoured by every citizen and written in the hearts of every animal. They are the people who looked after us from our birth.

They showed us this dynamic world and taught us the ways of the world and the road to a bright future. They made the meanings of the words ‘love’, ‘affection’ and ‘care’ a reality.

Kasuni Dilshani Perera
Grade 9 D,
Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda.

Preparing for examinations

Winner:

'Examinations are a necessary evil'. This statement tells us that examinations have advantages and disadvantages. Students do a lot of preparation before any examinations, some even skip meals and do not sleep properly.

They stress themselves so much that in the end it is impossible for them to face the examination.

Most students start studying only when there is a day or two left for the examination to begin. Then they find that it is impossible to complete their studies and they are unable to meet the target. One cannot cram in just a day or two.

There should be a regular timetable set before examinations. One should plan carefully what to study when the examination is round the corner. Regular repetition should be done with proper time management to avoid being tensed the day before the examination.

One should talk to teachers and clear all doubts to achieve good grades.

Group discussion is another good method of preparation. Regular school attendance is important as one may otherwise miss important points.

In Sri Lanka, we have written examinations. So good presentation is important to score well.

One should be calm and free from stress on the day of the examination. Such tips will surely help one achieve good grades at the examination.

One should also remember that it's hard work that gives one good results.

Shahani Razzak,
10L,
Ilma International Girl's School,
Colombo 5.

A visit to a kiln

Winner:

I visited a kiln on a fine morning
It was that of a potter.
I saw water jugs, emotive lamps
Ornaments and vessels
Graceful and decorative
Traditional and popular
Then I saw a rotating disk,
The potter was turning.
A fast turning wheel it was
“What is this wheel called?”
I asked the potter.
“We call it a ‘potter's wheel”, he said.
I watched it move.
A lump of clay was placed on the wheel
The potter formed a pot turning the lump
Incising patterns and stamping it with dyes
The decoration was put when the
clay was wet
The pot was fired in a primitive kiln
made of brick and wattle
daubed roof.
I bought a clay pot to suit my taste
To keep in my cupboard as a token
of remembrance.

N. Afique Mohamed
7 D
St. Anne's College,
Kurunegala.

Facebook, the glorious 'monster'

Today the world is globalized with the development of information and communication technology.

People have become robots as they are caught up in the maze of a hectic life and are running a rat race. Ultimately, the computer has become the master!

Now it is rare to find a single home without a computer especially in the cities. There are many more facilities to go round the world with one click of the mouse.

The most trendy site for teenagers now is ‘Facebook'. Will you ever think of Facebook as a source of knowledge? It is our duty to make the maximum use of it for our betterment.

We can avoid people who we do not know and add colleagues who we love to have.

It is a cardinal truth to say that we can use Facebook as a source of income. If you think that being on Facebook is bad, then why are the number of people who sign up on the increase day by day and making Zuckerberg, the founder become a billionaire?

Facebook even assists the improvement of language while chatting and sharing other people's ideas. It enables us to see parts of the world which we haven't seen. It is also a good opportunity to make friends with different people from different countries.But as teenagers we should take care not to get addicted to facebook.

Look at facebook for its advantages and make use of it in a positive way.

Uresha D. Abeywickrama,
Grade 11,
St. Thomas’ Girls High School, Matara.

Trees are our friends

Trees are lovely friends. Trees make the environment beautiful. Trees give us vegetables, flowers, medicine and fruits. They protect the water in rivers, lakes and the sea. Trees give oxygen and carbondioxide. There are many types of trees in our environment. Each tree is different to the other. There are palm trees, jak trees, rambuttan trees, na trees, bo trees, acacia trees and other plants. We get our food from these trees. Vegetables, flowers, treacle, medicine, houses, water and other things are obtained from trees. Do not cut trees.

G.Kushan Nalinka Gamage,
Grade 7Q,
Mahinda Rajapaksia College, Homagama.