Winner:

A school night camp

Our school is NCEF Buddhist College. Recently, there was a night camp. All the students participated in it. Our principal was the chief guest and he opened the camp by lighting the fire. We all cheered at that moment. We danced, sang songs and enjoyed ourselves. We spent the night in our classrooms and our teachers also stayed with us.

I think it was one of the most enjoyable days in our life. We are awaiting to celebrate the next night camp too.

Vishmi Bhagya,
Grade 5A (EM),
NCEF Buddhist College.

Winner:

The most faithful animal companion

We have many friends in the world. Sometimes our animal friends are better than human friends. Man has caught, trained and befriended many wild animals over the years. These tamed animals are very useful and friendly towards man. They are faithful servants too. Dogs, goats, elephants and cows are some faithful animal companions we have.

The dog is the most faithful friend of man. It guards our houses. It saves its master and his family members from danger. It likes to be by its master’s side even if he has no food to offer. It stands by its master in prosperity and poverty. The dog never deserts its master and is a true and faithful friend until death.

We must be kind and gentle to our animal friends. They are a part of our environment. Let us take care of them even in their old age when they will not be able to work for us.

Ushini Kahandawaarachchi,
Grade 8,
Rathnavali Balika Vidyalaya,
Gampaha.

Winner:

I like living in the countryside

I like living in the countryside because, the environment there is ideal for a child to grow up. The countryside is very calm and quiet. There are friendly people in the surroundings.

There are no busy roads and it is different from towns. There are no supermarkets in the countryside. It is a disadvantage. However, we can go to the nearest town once in two weeks and do our shopping. We can grow some vegetables in our own home garden. The countryside has many peaceful places such as rivers, lakes, temples and many more picturesque scenery to admire. The people living there are very humble and polite to everyone which in turn appeals to visitors.

Mandini Mehara Silva,
Grade 7,
Alethea International School,
Dehiwala.

Winner:

Our class teacher

Our class teacher is Niroshi Weerakody. She teaches us mathematics and environmental studies. She wears beautiful sarees. Everyday she wears a nice necklace to match the saree. She has long hair and is very pretty and kind.

She tells us to be good. She teaches us good habits and tells us stories. Our teacher does her job very well. She always corrects us when we are wrong. She is very friendly with everyone. I like the way she teaches. I love our teacher.

Arushi Aditya Weeratunga,
Grade 2EC,
Sujatha Vidyalaya, Nugegoda.

How I help my parents

Parents do many things for us. We also must help them in some way. We can clean the cobwebs and sweep the floor. When cooking we can help our mother. We can wash and iron our clothes. We can go to the shop and bring goods.

When gardening, we can plant flower plants and water them. We can weed flower beds.

These are the ways that I help my parents.

M.D. Deshani
Sakunthala Weerasinghe,
Grade 8,R/Kuruwita Central College,
Kuruwita.

Tea plantations in Sri Lanka

Tea is a very important cash crop in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is the world's fourth largest tea producer. In 1995 Sri Lanka was the world's leading exporter of tea. The best tea in the world is produced by Sri Lanka.

The British started tea plantations in Sri Lanka because all conditions for the growth of tea were found in the hill country. Adequate temperature, rainfall and land conditions are very important for tea plantations. The biggest land area under tea plantation is in the Nuwara Eliya district.

The Tea Research Institute at Talawakelle is also situated in the district. Tea plantation was introduced to the country in 1847 by James Taylor, the British planter who arrived in 1862.

Ceylon black tea, Ceylon green tea and Ceylon white tea are some special types of tea which are very popular in the world. Our tea plantations should be protected as they are not only earning money for the country but also attract foreigners to our country.

P.K.Kithmi Imansha,
Grade 7A (EM),
N.C.E.F. Buddhist College.

Teacher's Day

Giving a sheaf of betel leaves is an age-old custom. On Teacher's Day too we worship our teachers giving them a sheaf of betel leaves.

We hold our teachers in great esteem and that is why we still continue with this custom. Winning the hearts of our teachers is of immense value and it is my sincere hope that the blessings we get from our teachers will go a long way in life.

Aysha Farha Mulaffar,
“Brilliant Stars” International College,
Nupe, Matara.

The zoo

The zoo is a popular place. There are different kinds of animals in the zoo. There are birds, fish and reptiles in it. There is a zoo in Dehiwala.

A large crowd comes to see the zoo. Foreigners also come to see the zoo. The children like to go to the zoo. Students can learn a lot about animals. The zoo is very useful. It gives us pleasure and relaxation. I like to go to the zoo during my holidays.

Sithika Ruvin Silva,
Grade 3F,
St. Sebastian's College,
Moratuwa.

The car

The car is a vehicle. It has four wheels. It has a windscreen and a pair of vipers. It has a bonnet and a dickey.

Cars are different in shapes and colours. There are many kinds of cars in the world. BMW, Jaguar, Rado, Ferare, Lambogini, Bens and Galarado are some luxury cars.

Muhammed Mubarak M. Ismail,
Grade 3,
Jennath International School,
Galle.

Gardening is my hobby

People have different hobbies. Some of them do reading, playing, listening to music and gardening. My hobby is gardening. Unlike other hobbies it gives us many advantages. You must have enough space in your garden to engage in this hobby. Gardening is a pleasurable activity.

I have planted various kinds of vegetables and fruit in my garden. Some of the vegetables are brinjals, beans and tomatoes. Some of the fruits are mangoes, bananas and papaya. I do not use artificial fertiliser. I use compost manure to my plants. I spend about three hours in my garden three days a week. I water and manure my plants. I pull out weeds too. My parents and friends also help me. It is a nice sight to see trees laden with fruit

There are many advantages in gardening. First of all I can eat fresh fruit and vegetables. It is also a source of income. I can sell some of them and earn some money. It also provides physical exercise to my body. Gardening helps me to prevent many diseases such as low blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Gardening is good for everybody. It helps us to have both mental and physical satisfaction.

So, let us engage in this hobby.

Mindiya Arunedeepa,
Grade 8B,
St. Sebastian's College,
Moratuwa.