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.