
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. |