Lewis Carroll

Lewis Carroll was a great story writer. He was born in Daresbury, England in 1832. He was a teacher in a school in 1855. He loved to be with children, and he wrote stories for them. He got the children around him and he narrated his humorous stories.

His famous story was Alice in Wonderland. The story has been translated into more than 30 languages. The story is about a girl named Alice. People made films featuring the story.

He rendered a great service to society and died in 1898. However, he has left a valuable legacy to future generations.

Sayuru Akash,
Grade 6M,
Mahinda Rajapaksa College,
Homagama.




 

[Winner]

My school

My school is Reggie Ranathunga College. It is in Minuwangoda. It is beautiful and clean. Our principal is L.H. Thushari Priyadharshani. There are 35 teachers and 720 pupils. There are three buildings in our school. We have a music room, a dancing room, an English Unit and a playground. I love my school.

H.A. Samadhee
Hettiarachchi,
Grade 3 "Archana",
Minu/Reggie
Ranathunga College.
















 

[Winner]

The sacred Deegawapi

Deegawapi is one of the 16 sacred places visited by the Buddha. It is in the Ampara district. Eight years after the Buddha's Enlightenment, he visited Kelaniya. That was his third visit to Sri Lanka. During the visit he spent his time meditating at Deegawapi. Later King Saddhatissa, the brother of King Dutugemunu, built a stupa at the place where the Buddha meditated. It is believed that the Sacred Nail Relic of the Buddha is deposited there.

In the course of time, the Deegawapi stupa was neglected by the people. For a few centuries, it was covered by thick jungle. Later, the hidden stupa was discovered by the Kohukumbure Revata Thera. Although the stupa was neglected for the past 30 years, now it is renovated and is visited by many pilgrims.

It is our duty to protect this important place.

Hansana Subasinghe,
Grade 6C,
Vidura College,
Colombo.

The radio

The radio is one of the most famous and useful inventions in the world. It was invented in 1924 by Guglielmo Marconi, an Italian scientist.

The radio is a part of every day life and it has become so important that now we cannot do without it. It is available in different shapes and sizes, from a small 'walkman' to a large 'multimode transmitter.' The radio works when it receives electro magnetic waves sent by a radio transmitter.

When the radio was first invented it only received buzzing sounds. It received its voice or sound on the Christmas Eve in 1929.

The radio is used for entertainment and to pass warning signals. It broadcasts music, drama, speeches and comments on national and international issues. It warns people about floods, storms and tsunami warnings. Radio broadcasts news. Some countries use the radio to educate people and children. Interesting lessons and lectures by professors are broadcast on Radio.

Advertisements of traders, merchants, shopkeepers and manufacturers are also broadcast. The radio plays an important role. It is used by officers to send news of progress and counter attack by enemies to commanding officers.

I love to listen to the music broadcast over radio.

Kavithi Fernando,
Grade 6C, Lyceum
International School,
Panadura.

Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci was born in Vinci, Italy. He was a talented artist. He studied paintings under the famous artist Verrocchio. Later he started an art gallery and became a popular and a distinguished artist.

The Last Supper is rated as his greatest painting. The other great painting done by him is Mona Lisa. Now it is at the Louvre Museum in France.

He experimented with new methods and systems to bring out the natural look in his paintings. He also experimented with oil paints. He is a well-known artist.

Fathima Zahra Mueen,
Grade 8, Taprobane
International School,
Kalutara South.




 

[Winner]

Peace in a country

People belonging to different nationalities and religions live in most countries. If there is no peace in such a country, they cannot live happily.

Sri Lanka grappled with terrorism for the past 30 years. Many people were affected. The dark clouds have disappeared and the people live peacefully. We must protect the hard-won peace. Development can take place only in a peaceful country.

Let's join hands and make Sri Lanka a peaceful and prosperous country.

Harshini Udugama,
Grade 12,
Holy Cross College,
Gampaha.

The first woman explorer in Antarctica

Caroline Mikkelson, born in Denmark in 1906 was the first woman to set foot on Antarctica. In the winter of 1934-1935, she went on the expedition accompanied by her Norwegian husband, Captain Klarius Mikkelsen. It was sponsored by Lars Christensen.

On February 20, 1935, the explorers set foot on the Vestfold Hills near the present Davis Station. Mikkelsen left the ship and participated in building a memorial Cairn. Mount Caroline Mikkelsen is named after her.

M.I.M. Thanish Ilham,
Grade 7,
Al Manar International School,
Colombo 9.




 

The largest flower in the world

Rafflesia is the largest flower in the world. It is found in Indonesia and Malaysia. Parasitic on woody vines, Rafflesia plants produces this magnificent flower. It has five petals.

The flower smells of rotten meat. The colour and appearance of the flower is similar to a chunk of rotten meat.

Its diameter is about 90 centimetres. Insects such as flies that are fond of bad smells get attracted to these flowers. They pollinate the flowers.

H.M Wathsara Nadun
Peiris,
Grade 8C,
A/Central College,
Anuradhapura.


 

Myself

My name is Gardiniya Weerakkody. I am seven-years-old. I live in Kurunegala. I am in Grade two.

I study at Holy Family Balika Vidyalaya in Kurunegala. My favourite subjects are English, Mathematics and Tamil. My class teacher is Rani Theresa.

My mother's name is Badra and my father's name is Patrick. I have two sisters. My pet is a dog. I call it `Sudu'. I want to become a doctor.

Gardiniya Weerakkody,
Grade 2,
Holy Family Balika Vidyalaya,
Kurunegala.







 

Tea plantations in Sri Lanka

Tea is an important cash crop in Sri Lanka which is the world's fourth largest producer. In 1995, Sri Lanka was the leading exporter of tea in the world. The best tea is produced by our country.

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

The Tea Research Institute at Talawakelle is also in the Nuwara Eliya district. Tea plantation was introduced by a British planter who arrived in Sri Lanka in 1682. Ceylon black tea, Ceylon green tea and Ceylon lemon tea are some special types of tea which are popular in the world.

Our tea plantations should be protected as they not only earn money for the country but also attract foreigners to Sri Lanka.

Kasun Kumar,
Grade 5C,
Jennings International College,
Nainamadama.