Winner: My favourite book

I have read many books during the past years. But Village by the Sea by Anita Desai is the book that I like most. The author is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in London. It is all about poor people. The main character is Lila. Hari, Ramu, Mina, Bela, Kamal are the other characters. There are many Indian words such as Bai, Bhai, Dhoti and Lakth in this book.

The main character Lila takes the role as the mother. Lila’s mother is ill and the father is addicted to liquor in this story. Lila is the eldest child in the family. She looks after her brother and parents.

At the end Hari runs away to Bombay and Lila is left alone. No one can forget her character.

I am thankful to my father for bringing me this book. It is interesting and I like this book very much.

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

Winner: Good habits

We must learn good habits to become useful children. Some of the good habits are obeying elders, cleanliness and helping others.

Always tell the truth. Nobody will trust us if we tell lies. We must not steal other people’s goods. We must behave well in school as well as in society. Be kind to everyone without hurting them.

Early to bed and early to rise is also a good habit. If we cultivate good habits, we can lead a good life.

We must learn good habits and be good citizens and serve our country.

Thinesa Welagedara,
Grade 6B,
Musaeus College,
Colombo 7.

Winner: All about birds

Birds are colourful. A bird has two legs and wings to fly. They have strong muscles to flap their wings. Birds have feathers on the body.

Birds are light in weight because their bones are thin and hollow. It helps them to fly easily. Birds go into the air and flap their wings and push themselves upwards and forward and fly. When they land they spread out their wings to stop. They use their tails to turn the body while flying. Feathers help them to fly and keep the body warm. Feathers are oily so that the body does not absorb moisture.

Some birds have bright coloured feathers. They make them look beautiful. Feathers can be categorised into three parts. Flight feathers, long feathers on the wings and the tail which helps them to fly. Down feathers are soft and fluffy and they keep the bird warm. Body feathers cover the body and give its shape.

Birds have no teeth. They cannot bite or chew. The beak helps them to eat. Birds have different types of beaks which suit according to what they eat.

I love birds very much.

Fathima Shazeena,
Grade 5,
Thihariya Islamic International School,
Kalagedihena.

Winner: From the top of a communication tower

I am at the top of a communication tower. We erected it three weeks ago. Day by day, the tower grew up; we climbed higher and higher. Thus, we reached the top of the tower by finishing the task.

I can see a vast area from the tower. The main road is like a black ribbon. The train running along the railway line looks like a long caterpillar moving fast.

The buildings of the school and the hospital look like match boxes. Children wearing white school uniforms are playing in the school ground. They look half the size of a matchstick.

I see a pirivena situated about a kilometre away from the tower. The student Bhikkhus are having an assembly before studies begin. It is a pleasant sight. It reminds me of a host of chrysanthemums on a tray.

The Wednesday fair is a busy place. People are coming to the fair and some are leaving it. They look like a line of ants crawling along the ribbon-like road. Lorries and vans that carry vegetables and other stuff are parked in the vehicle park. They look like small playing blocks used in a Montessori class.

I remember Gulliver’s Travels. I feel as if I were Gulliver myself and the people I see are like those Gulliver met in his first voyage. I have to leave this place because I have finished my duty. I will be sent to another place with my friends to start on another tower.

Diluka Madhushani Bandara,
Grade 9,
A/Walisinha Harischandra MV,
Anuradhapura.

Winner: The New Year festival

The cry of the Koha flying from tree to tree tells us that the New Year is not far away. The Erabadu tree is in bloom and every house looks bright and clean. The preparation to celebrate the New Year is done weeks ahead.

Farmers in the village fill their barns with paddy and the sale of the surplus brings them a good income.

The Sinhalese celebrate the New Year as a cultural event. There are auspicious times for lighting the hearth, partaking of meals, money transactions, visiting relatives and friends, anointing oil, bathing and starting work.

On this day every housewife fills her dining table with sweetmeats such as kavum, kokis, asmi, mun-kevum, unduwel, bananas and milk rice. Everybody wears new clothes. Children offer betel to their parents and elders. The noise of the rabana re-echoes through the length and breadth of the village. It is a pleasant sight to see children singing the favourite folk song Onchili chili chili chilla maley, wella digata nelli kele and going on the swing.

Many societies organise Avurudu programs with special games such as kotta pora, tug-of-war, kana mutti bindima and climbing the greasy pole. Another important feature is choosing the Avurudu Kumara and Kumari.

Many play traditional games such as olinda keliya, porapol gaseema and un-keliya. School children get the New Year vacation so that they can engage themselves in these fun and frolic activities.

By this way the Sinhalese people spend an enjoyable New Year. This annual festival fosters unity and happiness among the people.

W.M. Methsara Dulanjith,
Grade 9D,
Christ Church College,
Matale.

My school

My school is Pushpadana Girls’ College, Kandy. It is in the centre of Kandy. There are 12 buildings in my school.

We have many facilities in our school.We have five science laboratories, a library, a canteen and a basket ball court. We have a main hall to present our talents.

My school was started in 1942. The principal of my school is E.W.L.K. Egodawela. She is good and kind. More than 3,000 students attend my school. The Sports meet and prize-giving is held annually. A prominent person is invited as the chief guest.

Our teachers are very helpful. We participate in almost all the contests held in the district. Our motto is “Wisdom through character, Shines ever. ”

Ours is one of the leading schools in the central province. I always try to keep up the prestige of my school. I love my school very much.

Hiruni Nihara Kumarasinghe,
Grade 6A,
Pushpadana Girls’ College,
Kandy.

Myself

My name is Nethmi Teekshana. I am eleven years old. I like to eat oranges and apples.

I live in Palugama. I want to be a teacher. My favourite subject is Science. I have no sisters and brothers. My favourite colour is pink.

Nethmi Teekshana,
Grade 6A,
Sigane National School,
Dompe.

My mother

My mother's name is Sumudu. She is a banker. She is very beautiful. She loves me very much.

My mother is my whole world. I love my mother very much.

Sheran Fernando,
Grade 2,
S. Thomas' College,
Mt. Lavinia.

My favourite tourist destination

My favourite tourist destination is Sigiriya. It is in Dambulla in the North Central Province. It was built by King Kashyapa.

It is a historical place. Its entrance is shaped like a lion's mouth. There are beautiful paintings on its walls. Many foreigners visit Sigiriya.

It is a big rock. It is surrounded by trees. I love this place very much.

M.Z. Zahry,
Grade 5,
Oasis International School.

Our sports meet

The sports meet is an important annual event in our school. We usually have it during the first term. It is a special event in our school. Many students attend the sports meet. Our teachers and students organised the sports meet in a grand way. Everybody helped to make it successful.

There are four Houses in our College. They are Alban, Dilasale, Banaventure and Luke. Each House has a Captain, a Vice-Captain and an Athletic Captain. Students took part in many games representing their Houses. Some were team games and others were individual games. Some team games were cricket, football, volleyball, relay and Elle.

The individual games were throwing the discus, javelin, running event, swimming competitions, long jump and high jump. Winners receive certificates and trophies.

The best Decorated House and the Best Cheering House were selected.

The chief guest was Rev. Fr. Daya Darshana. Western and Eastern bands welcomed him to the pavilion. Rev. Fr. Daya Darshana hoisted the national flag along with the school flag, sports flag and the House flags. A large number of students, teachers, past pupils and parents also gathered to witness the event.

Our sports meet helps us in many ways. It is an opportunity to showcase our talents. Sports help us to lead a healthy life. We also have a chance to play with others and cultivate unity among friends. We can take part in all-island competitions. It is a qualification to find a job in the future.

The sports meet is an unforgettable event in our lives.

Vinuka Shavin Silva,
Grade 7D,
St. Sebastian’s College,
Moratuwa.