Winner:

How Buddhism came to Sri Lanka

Poson is an important day for all Buddhists. Arahat Mahinda came to Sri Lanka on a Poson Poya day.

During that time Sri Lanka was ruled by King Devanampiyatissa. The King met Arahat Mahinda at Mihintale while he was hunting. Then he became a Buddhist.

That is how we got Buddhism to our country.

Susal Thewjan de Silva,
Grade 2C,
D.S. Senanayake Model Primary School,
Anuradhapura.

Winner:

I enjoy watching cartoons

We all like to enjoy ourselves doing something joyful or entertaining. I find watching cartoons as my favourite leisure time activity.

When I was small, I could only watch cartoons on television, but over the years cartoons come in different types in CD or DVD form.

Over the years the popularity cartoons has become a part of the childrens’ world. I watch cartoons with my brother. Even though our tastes are different from each other we both enjoy them. When I watch cartoons they give me pleasure.

When I watch “Little Women” I always want to be like them and when I watch mysterious cartoons such as “Scooby Doo,” I too like to go with them and solve mysteries. When I watch fairy tales, I always feel that if I have beautiful wings I could fly to the fantasy world like them.

Since I am a girl, I love to watch cartoons such as “Sleeping Beauty,” “Cinderella” and “Alice in Wonderland” as most of the beautiful princesses are kind hearted girls.

Initially, most of the cartoons are based on heroic characters and historical tales but at present we can see animated cartoons, cartoons based on animals and robots.

In my dreams sometimes, I talk with cartoon characters and wander with them in beautiful gardens, over the bridges and float in the blue sky. When I see these places it always reminds me of my dreams.

I wish I was Alice and I could visit the animal kingdom. I love those animals in cartoons. This is how I enjoy watching cartoons.

Maheni Gunawardana,
Grade 7,
Alethea International School.

Winner:

Peradeniya Botanical Gardens

The Peradeniya Botanical Garden is situated in Kandy. There are many things to see at the Peradeniya Botanical gardens.

When King Wickramabahu III was ruling from Peradeniya, Alexander Moon named the park as “The Royal Botanical Garden.”

This is one of the biggest gardens in Sri Lanka. The size of the park is 147 hectares. There are beautiful scenes in the garden. There are flowers such as Dahliyas, Seeniyas, Bougainvillea and Roses.

There is a hanging bridge called “Samanala Palama” and the photograph of the palm trees on either sides of the path is a world-famous photograph of Peradeniya garden.

Lots of local travellers and foreigners visit the garden every year. Children come here to play. When we go to the garden, I play with my brother and have fun.

The Peradeniya botanical garden is a beautiful park. It is our responsibility to protect it. We must not put polythene bags, garbage and food on the ground. We must try to keep the garden clean.

K.A. Usitha Kodithuwakku Arachchi,
Grade 8A2, Sri Chandananda Buddhist College,
Kandy.

 

My favourite game

My favourite game is carrom. It is an indoor game. I am not one for rigorous and tiring sports. I play carrom during my leisure time with my friends. Carrom is played by four players or even two. It has 12 black and 12 white carrom men and a queen which is red, disc to aim or score. Each player selects a colour and tries to aim the dog into the pocket. Carrom is an internationally famous game. It is a simple game but teaches a wealth of lessons to develop one’s personality. I like this game very much.

Dilara Sewwandhi,
Grade 9E,
Janadhipathi Balika Vidyalaya,
Nawala.

Winner:

My grandmother

My grandmother is fair.

She can cook tasty food and make cakes.

She is very kind. Gardening is her favourite hobby. She has a nice flower garden. She loves me very much. I love her too. I pray for her a long life.

Amaarah Ishreth,
Grade 1A,
Lexicon International School, Kandy.

 

Winner:

Arrival of Arahat Mahinda

We celebrate the Poson festival in June every year. The festival is celebrated by Buddhists to mark the arrival of Arahath Mahinda Thera.

It is a historic event. Arahath Mahinda brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka as a result of the great friendship between the two Kings who ruled India and Sri Lanka. They were King Devanampiyatissa and King Dharmashoka. After establishing Buddhism in Sri Lanka there was a great change in society. There was a great cultural development in the country.

People began to change their lifestyle gradually. They developed their moral values and became more cultured, peaceful and noble. Mihintale is well illuminated with colourful lights during the festive period. People organise Dansal and many charity services during these days.

Udama Tharumuthu Jayasuriya,
Grade 5C,
St. Lawrence’s Convent, Colombo 6.

Gender equality

The ‘fairer sex’ is considered inferior to men. Their talents, skills and potential are grossly under-estimated in the sphere of career opportunities.

Although most women are knowledgeable and committed to their specific tasks and duties at their workplaces, men are still preferred over women in the selection of employees for certain lucrative careers.

The multifaceted women who excel in a variety of spheres such as political, administrative, cultural or aesthetic areas among others, have been accurate, efficient and creative and produced amazing results in their respective departments.

They have won much praise, fame and glory. I presume there is a vein of jealousy against womankind who sometimes transcend and even pose a challenge to men.

In the domestic sphere, we observe that male dominance is rampant despite the arduous tasks undertaken and performed by womankind. The conventional housewives are being ignored and ill-treated akin to servants, by their husbands who render minimum assistance to their wives.

This is an ever increasing problem worldwide, leading to estranged relationships within the respective families.

Women deprived of using their optimum potential, have in desperation, distanced themselves even from social service, to the detriment of the nation. Diverse women’s organisations of the day, have rendered a yeoman service in placing women in a level playing field, with their male counterparts.

Nonetheless, they have failed miserably at other times and even been silent in some instances. So they have a long way to go to achieve their goals. Male domination is an issue that should be eradicated or at least curbed by legislation in order to protect the innocent lives of vulnerable women.

It is of paramount importance that men should be mindful of the indispensable role played by women. So women should possess sufficient strength, power, courage and authority to rise up against exploitation and subordination.

The government too should possess the political will to take appropriate action in offering women their due places in the society, in par with men.

Yashodya M. Wijayakulathilake
Grade 9, Leeds International School,
Panadura.

My best friends

My best friend is usually my mother, but I have another good friend in school. His name is Janith Chatuska.

He lives in Pelmadulla. He is my closest and trustworthy friend at school and the most helpful friend I have ever met.

He always does everything with me in school.We have a strong bond which is a combination of true friendship and love.Janith always helps me in my studies as well as in extracurricular activities.We have lot of fun in school when doing physical training every morning.

I like his honesty, pleasant attitude, kindness and helpfulness.I am lucky to meet a good friend such as Janith. I love my friend very much.

Sharada Kanchana,
Grade 7D,
R/Sivali Central College,
Hiddalana, Ratnapura.

Ozone layer protects the Earth

The Ozone layer is a layer of gas present in our atmosphere. The layer is situated in the lower portion of the Stratosphere.

It consist of 90 percent of Ozone that is present in the Atmosphere (other 10 percent is in the Troposphere). It helps to protect the Earth from Ultra Violet Rays which are coming from the Sun and is very harmful. It prevents the entry of UV Rays to the Earth.

If there is no Ozone layer, we will die of skin cancers and getting white patches in our eyes.

We must protect the “Ozone layer Protector of Earth” by not burning polythene and tyres. When we burn them it makes holes in the Ozone layer. Therefore, UV rays affects the Earth and cause such diseases.

Shimalka Devasrith Samaranayake,
Grade 8D,
St. Anne's College,
Kurunegala.