
Winner: Modernisation... plus or minus

Each generation makes advances in their way of life, technology,
latest methods and modern ways of life. But has life become better or
worse?
Every generation advances on methods of transport. New methods of
travelling to different regions quickly save resources. This is a big
advantage. Earlier, it took a longer time to travel from Colombo to
Hambantota. Modern vehicles and highways have facilitated faster and
easier travel.
Furthermore, modern technology such as the Internet provides people
with quick access to information.
People are respected and there are certain rights which are common to
all. Anyone who violates the human rights are liable to get punished.
People of any social status are accepted now in society and they can
read, talk, study, work and simply live in freedom. Also, the police
forces have developed so that crime can be prevented thus, laying the
first step to create a fair and just society.
On the contrary, modernisation has also caused problems. In the new
methods of transport the natural environment is affected due to the
release of harmful substances. The internet can be used in a good way
but some misuse it.
Today most people have no respect for others. They want to maintain
their social status. There are others who neglect the poor. Some parents
are over protective about their children.
We must make use of modern technology wisely. Then only we can lead a
proper life.
Janani Randhula,
Grade 10,
Willesden College International,
Battaramulla.
Winner: Education is the key to success
Education is the most important aspect of human development. It is
the golden key to success. Education can change the world. It should be
accessible to everybody.
Education has its own rewards. If you neglect your studies you will
be the loser. You have to study from your childhood and there is no age
barrier for education. Every person should use their knowledge to lead a
fruitful life.
Pathima Shakeena Shiraz,
Grade 8,
UNH International School,
Hunupitiya, Wattala.
Winner: An interesting book I have read
Madol Doova is an interesting book that I have read. In this book the
main character is Upali. He is naughty and does funny things. He is a
poor motherless child. He lost his mother when he was seven years. His
stepmother treated him badly.
Upali had a friend called Jinna who was a domestic aid at his house.
Because of the stepmother’s bad treatment Upali and Jinna run away to an
island called Madol Doova.
Madol Doova is an adventurous story originally written in Sinhala by
Martin Wickramasinghe and published in 1947. He was born on May 29, 1890
in the southern village called Koggala. It was in a beautiful
surrounding. He has written many books such as Gamperaliya, Kali Yugaya,
Yuganthaya, Viragaya and Bava Tharanaya. Madol Doova was translated into
English by Prof. Ashley Halpe. I like this book because the story is
full of joyful and adventurous incidents.
Chamodya Heshani,
Grade 7I,
Negombo South International School,
Negombo.
Winner: My favourite television program
Some people like to watch television programs while others do not. My
favourite television program is Isiwara Wedaduru. It is a Korean drama
titled Horse Doctor / King’s Doctor. It is televised at 6.30 p.m. and is
a good story for children and adults.
The story is dubbed in Sinhala. We can learn many things from the
story. The two main characters are Baek Kwang Yong and Kang Jinyang.
They are good friends in the People’s Hospital. Their real names are Cho
Seung Woo and Lee Ya Wan.
There is a pretty princess in the story. She is Suki. Baek Kwang Yong
gives medicine to the poor people who do not have money. Sometimes he
performs operations free. There are many beautiful songs in the
teledrama. I love the television program very much.
Pawani Madara,
Grade 9,
Sri Bodhiraja College,
Embilipitiya.
Winner: Importance of flowers
Flowers are the most beautiful things in the world. They play a major
role in our day-to-day life. We cannot find a single house that does not
have flowers in the garden. Flowers are grown in our garden. They add
beauty to the environment. They are soothing and pleasing to our minds.
We use flower vases on tables in our classrooms and houses. Flowers
are used for special occasions such as weddings and funerals. Flowers
are used in many religious activities too. Buddhists offer flowers to
the Buddha. Hindus make garlands and offer them to God. Roses,
carnations and orchids express our feelings such as love and happiness.
Bouquets of flowers are used to welcome guests. Butterflies and bees
drink the nectar of the flowers. People who live in the city plant
flowers in pots. If we grow a lot of flowers, we can sell them.
Some flowers are endangered today. The major threat to flowering
plants are fungus, pests, diseases and climatic changes. We must take
necessary steps to protect them. They must be manured, weeded and
watered regularly.
Let us grow more flower plants and make our home gardens pleasant and
beautiful.
W.M.Methsara Dulanjith,
Grade 9D,
Christ Church College,
Matale.
Village by the sea
The only sound you could hear was the sound of the waves clashing the
seashore. The rising morning sun was the most beautiful sight in this
calm and quiet place.
The lives of the people living here were not complicated; they didn’t
think about their future nor their tiny bit of money, they just went on
with their lives without any hesitation.
The village by the sea was a hidden gem. The main occupations here
were fishing and farming. The surrounding was filled with lush greenery
and fertile soil. The flowers growing on the bushes were abundant; in
their many shapes patterns and colours.
Many of the huts were made of mud and hay but here in the village it
was an average family home besides the wooden cabins owned by the
foreigners who visited the village to enjoy its peace and tranquillity,
away from the car honks and traffic noises in the city.
A mosque and an old church were their places of worship. The mosque
was a limestone building with shades of crisp blue with a small garden
bordering it. The old church was one of the only buildings in the
village made of bricks. The church was of a shade of grey and beige with
an altar and a few benches.
The church had some rose bushes growing on its sides. The men in the
village visited the mosque and the church almost everyday.
In the centre of the village was a plaza with little shops for the
people to buy clothes and food.
The village had an abundant supply of fresh fruits and vegetables
which were sold quite cheap, so the people could afford to buy them.
The village only had one school for all the children and at the end
of the day they would play together on beach.
The village by the sea was a very beautiful place. We all wish to
live here. The truth is that we do live here in our dreams, in the
village by the sea...
Joel Fernando
Grade6
St Nicholas International College
Negombo
My country

My country is Sri Lanka. It is surrounded by the Indian Ocean. My
country has a lot of natural features such as mountains, waterfalls and
streams.
Our President is Mahinda Rajapaksa. We have four religions. They are
Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. Our country has a public
transport system. We have tea, rubber and coconut in our country. We
have many water resources too. The Portuguese, Dutch and British ruled
our country for some time. Our country is an island. I love my country
very much.
K.H. Hansini Kemindi,
Grade 3C,
Lyceum International School,
Panadura.
Charlie Chaplin
If one happens to see a man wearing baggy trousers, enormous shoes, a
bowler hat, carrying a bamboo cane and strutting around in acrobatic
elegance, then one can rest assured that the man on the celluloid screen
is none other than “The Tramp” of the 1920s, portrayed by Charles
Spencer Chaplin or Charlie Chaplin as he is popularly known.
He was born on April 16, 1889 in London to poor parents. They were
music hall artistes. After struggling to make ends meet, Chaplin's
father, an alcoholic, would spend the money on drink to the dismay of
his family. This put the responsibility on Chaplin and he was pushed on
stage when he was barely five.
When his father died his mother worked hard to bring up the family by
sewing blouses. Chaplin's legend lives on as hundreds of movie loving
people all over the world throng to see the funny “little man” and buy a
laugh for a few dollars.
Crediting him as an “entertainer supreme” would only be an
understatement.
F. Sajidha Yousuf,
Grade 9A,
Al-Manar International School,
Dematagoda. |