Let’s protect animals

Winner:

Animals are an important part of the world. There are many species of animals, living in all parts of the world. Animals are a part of the environment. We cannot live without animals because there will be no ecological balance then.

Today there are many animals threatened with extinction. One such species of animal on the verge of extinction is the elephant.

Elephants are hunted down by poachers mostly for their long ivory tusks. Pandas and polar bears are also threatened with extinction due to global warming and also because they are hunted for their fur. Apart from these animals there are turtles that are hunted for their shells. People use these shells to make various ornaments. Whales too are hunted for their meat and fat which is very valuable. Rhinos are another species that is killed for their horns which is used for medicinal purposes.

Today there is a special day set aside to focus on animals which is observed on October 4 annually. World Animals Day is important to awaken the general public to the important role animals play in the continuity of this planet.

They share the Earth with us and are a part of the ecological system. This day is therefore ideal to appreciate and celebrate the relationship humans have with animals.

If we do not protect animals we will eventually lose a place to live in. Both man and animal will suffer greatly. Animals make the environment a beautiful place and they help to continue the food chain. If we want to protect Planet Earth, then we should protect all species of animals, not just the domesticated ones we rear at home as pets or as farm animals.

D. Rashmi de Alwis,
St. Lawrence’s Convent,
Wellawatte.

Food for a healthy life

Winner:

Today the consumption of nutritional food is at a very low level because most people are addicted to eating unhealthy food such as fatty foods. These lead to a lot of diseases such as heart problems, diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol.

Some food items sold in the market seem very nutritious but many do not even know the ingredients in them. This type of food are generally known as ‘junk food.’ Some parents think that this food contains many nutrients, but they are wrong. Eating such food can only affect the health of their growing children.

In the past people who lived in villages did not suffer from many diseases the way we do today. It is a marvel. But the secret is that they always ate food high in nutrients. They planted their own crops in their home garden. They ate jak, carrots, long beans, yams and other vegetables harvested from their home gardens which were fresh and free of chemicals. Because of this they were very strong and full of energy. They were able to live long lives too. Nowadays it is difficult to live long ,healthy lives because of the unhealthy diets and lifestyles of the people . Healthy food has virtually disappeared from their menus.

Nutrients in most types of food are destroyed due to many factors such as food spoilage caused during transportation, selling and storing. Even the manner in which some prepare the food results in the loss of nutrients. So, to get nutritional food, we must start to plant crops in our home gardens. This will lead to a powerful, energetic and a healthy generation.

Lakmi Nanayakkara,
Grade 8A,Vidura College, Colombo.

My ambition in life

Winner:

From our young days at school the teachers always asked us “What our ambition was?” I think everyone of us can remember what our answers were. Everyone has an ambition in life. Many like to become doctors, engineers, lawyers, accountants and corporate managers.

I too have an ambition and that is to be a teacher. I love the profession because a teacher is very valuable to society.

No one can become a doctor, accountant, lawyer or any other professional without the guidance of a teacher. Therefore, teachers are the people who help every child to achieve his ambition. A teacher helps make a child's dreams a reality, adding various colours to it.At school students are taught good morals, values, principles and good habits by teachers. They teach how to live in society as respected, law abiding citizen. A teacher is like a parent .Our parents enrol us in schools to give us a good education. From the moment we enrol teachers protect us and enhance our knowledge about various things.

We also learn various arts and crafts at schools. Teachers do a great job and are highly respected.

They are like gods to many students. We must always respect them and pay gratitude to them.

I like to be a good teacher and teach many valuable things to my students just as my teachers taught me. More than any other profession I believe teaching is the best one for me.

My ambition is to enter the noble profession of teaching once I complete my education.

Dinithi Munasingha,
Grade 9C,
Royal International School,
Kurunegala.

A place of religious significance

Winner:

One of the most attractive and sanctified religious places I have ever visited is the Sri Maha Bodhi in the ancient city of Anuradhapura.The Sri Maha Bodhi premises was one of the eight places of religious worship (Atamasthana) in Anuradhapura. Some of the other important places are Ruwanweli Seya, Thuparama, Abayagiri and Isurumuniya. Out of the Atamasthana, the Sri Maha Bodhi is the most significant to many Buddhist devotees.

The gigantic Sri Maha Bodhi Tree is a sapling of the bo-tree under which the Buddha attained Enlightenment. It was brought from India by Arahat Mahinda's sister, Sangamitta Therani. She came to Sri Lanka or the then Ceylon during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa, the first Sri Lankan king to embrace Buddhism.When I see the Sri Maha Bodhi premises I am filled with a sense of devotion. I always feel very pious and serene in the shade of the Sacred Bo-Tree. It is a blessing for everybody. Anyone who enters the Bodhi premises feels calm and consoled.

On Full Moon Poya Day Buddhist devotees go to Anuradhapura to visit the Sri Maha Bodhi. When one enters the Bodhi premises to pay homage the sense of piety and devotion one experiences is hard to explain. It is only after worshipping at the Sri Maha Bodhi that devotees go to other places of Buddhist worship in Anuradhapura and Mihintale.

Millions of Buddhists visit this Sacred Bo-Tree annually to make their offerings and pay homage to the Buddha by showing gratitude to the tree which provided Him shelter during His Enlightenment.

Lasani Rashendri,
Grade 9,
Princess of Wales College,
Moratuwa.

Education alone doesn’t mould good citizens

Winner:

As children it is important to keep in mind that good manners are the main characteristics of an educated person. People who are polite and courteous are loved by all sections in society.

They always command the respect of others. Everyone appreciates good manners. Even though some people have passed many examinations , hold high positions in society and are looked upon as educated, they lack good manners and the norms of good behaviour. So, they become unpopular wherever they go and lead very unhappy lives. This is because such people have not been given the correct advice and guidance about proper conduct in society by their parents and elders.

Good manners and good habits should be taught at home by parents and at school by teachers during our childhood. This is why we regard our teachers as second parents who guide us to become good citizens.A person who knows good manners will not behave or speak in a rude manner to hurt another’s feelings. Such people are also very considerate of others. They respect the ideas of others even if they do not always agree with them.We have often seen how certain ill-mannered people behave at public places and even at places of religious worship, causing great inconvenience to the public. We have also witnessed the behaviour of many well mannered and considerate people. There are people who help the aged and disable people to cross the road at zebra crossings, while others offer their seats in crowded buses and trains to elders.

These are people who have learnt good manners both at home and school during their young days. Many people admire their kindness and speak good of their parents and teachers for teaching them good manners and correct values in life.So, we too must bear in mind that education alone will not make a person a good citizen in society. Good manners and habits too play a vital role in our lives if we want to become useful citizens in society and make our future a success.

Kasuni Madumali Edirisooriya,
Grade 11, B/Kuda Kusum Girls’ College, Bandarawela.

The English Club

An English Speaking Club was started on October 1, this year. The English teachers selected nearly forty children, who voluntarily came forward to be the members of the club.The English Club starts at 6.00 a.m. and the English teachers guide and help us to improve our knowledge of English. We do a lot of activities in English everyday. We hope to go on field trips in the future.

All of us like this programme as we do not have to take down any notes.

We thank our English teachers for giving us this valuable opportunity. I love this programme.

Imal Maleesha Kannangara,
Grade 7E,
St. Mary's College, Mathugama.