The coconut tree

Winner:

The coconut tree is a palm tree. It is grown especially in tropical countries. It is useful to people in many ways.

It is especially grown in the North Western Province and in the Coconut Triangle comprising Chilaw, Kurunegala and Colombo.

Every part of the tree is useful. It is also known as the “Magic tree.” Different parts of the tree is used to make rafters, doormats, jaggery, vinegar, toddy, treacle, spoons and brooms.

The tender leaves are used for decorations. Young coconuts give us a delicious drink. The coconut tree is valuable to man in many ways.

T.G. Nipuni Kawshalya,
Grade 9,
Maliyadewa Girls’ School,
Kurunegala.

The importance of food

Winner:

All living beings need food to live. Food gives us energy. It helps us grow. It protects us from diseases. It makes our bones and muscles strong.

We eat different types of food. The food we eat falls into five basic categories. They are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins and water.

We take food three times a day. They are breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It is the meal that breaks the fast, since supper the night before. Skipping breakfast means going without food for about eight hours.

The food we eat comes mainly from two sources. They are plants and animals. Some food from plants are beverages, spices, fruits, vegetables, pulses and cereals. Eggs, milk, meat and honey are food from animals.

Water is also essential for our body. Our bodies need three to four litres of water everyday. It is neither an energy-giving nor a body-building food. Our body contains 70 percent of water.

To be healthy, we must eat clean food in hygienic surroundings.

Vethma Laksadi Rathnayake,
Grade 9D,
Mahamaya Girls’ College,
Kandy.

Caring for animals

Winner:

Today we are so obsessed with taking care of the environment that we neglect caring for animals. We fail to realise that animals are a part of the environment.

The cow is a useful animal. It gives us milk to nourish us, but what do we do when it is old. We send the cow to the slaughter house.

Similarly, with other animals such as horses and elephants we take the maximum benefit from them. When they cannot serve us we kill them to take their horns, tusks and skin for monetary gain.

Cats and dogs are domesticated animals. They are faithful companions. But today cats and dogs run wild on the streets like stray creatures posing a health hazard to others.

It is time the authorities stepped in and did something about the plight of such animals. They should round up stray animals and take care of them.

Minsadi de Silva,
Grade 9,
Visakha Vidyalaya,
Colombo 5.

Dunhinda Waterfall

Winner:

Dunhinda Waterfall is in Badulla. It is a beautiful and a world famous waterfall. It is two kilometres from Badulla town. Many foreign tourists and local travellers visit Dunhinda waterfall almost everyday. School children too visit the waterfall during holidays.

To get to the waterfall you have to walk about two kilometres along the Badulla-Kandy main road. It is surrounded by a jungle. Whenever relations and friends come to our house we take them to see the attractive waterfall.

During the holidays I go to see it with my parents. During the rainy season there is a gush of water flowing down. Plenty of beautiful birds can be seen on the way and close to Dunhinda waterfall.

On weekends, a lot of people come to see the waterfall. This is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in our country.

Vishmi Navodya Dassanayake,
Grade 4,
Visakha Girls’ High School,
Badulla.

The fastest car in the world

Winner:

The world’s fastest car is the Thrust SSC, or Thrust Supersonic car. It is a British jet-propelled car developed by Richard Noble and his friends.

It still holds the world land speed record, set on October 15, 1997.

It achieved the fastest speed of 1,228 km/h

(763 mph) and it is believed that no car can reach this speed. It is 16.5 m or 54 feet long and 3.7 m or 12 ft wide.

The normal weight of the car is 10.5 tonnes. It was driven by the Royal Air Force fighters in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada, US. It is powered by two jet engines.

Kokul Sager,
Grade 6A,
Hilburn International College,
Avissawella.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is situated in the north west of Kegalle town. It was set up by the Sri Lanka Wildlife Department.

The orphanage is 24 acres and its situated near the Maha Oya in Rambukkana. It was primarily designated to give care and protection to the elephants found in the jungle without a mother. In most instances the mother has died or has been killed.

Initially the orphanage was at the Wilpattu National Park. Pinnawala has now become a big orphanage in the world. I think it is a pleasure to be born in Sri Lanka to see nature at its best.

Imashi Batagoda,
Grade 7D,
Bishops' College,
Colombo.






 

A place I visited

During the last school vacation, I went to Kandy with my family. We went by van. It was a one-day trip.

We left Kalutara at 5 a.m. On our way to Kandy we stopped at a restaurant and had breakfast. Next we went to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. We bought tickets and entered. We saw many elephants there. I fed some of them.

There were many foreigners who visit the place. I took photographs. We went to see the Botanical gardens. There were many trees and flowers. We had lunch under a huge tree. We rested for a few minutes.

We visited the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and worshipped the Buddha. We took off our shoes and entered the temple. We saw the museum. Then we left Kandy and returned home at 10 p.m.

I will never forget this trip.

Asini Induwari,
Grade 8C,
Kalutara Balika Vidyalaya.

 

My hero

Every person has a hero in their lives. I also have a hero who is the main character in my life. My father is my hero since my childhood.

My father's name is Kapila Nandadewa. He was born in Matara. He studied at Galahitiyawa Central College, Ganemulla. My father works at Sevanagala Lanka Sugar factory as an Agriculture Supirintendent. My father is my guardian.

When I was a baby he carried me and made me happy. His lap was a comfortable place for me. Today he is the strength of our family. Our peace and happiness are built because of our father.

My father teaches us how we should spend our lives. He is a clever and determined person. He loves to live happily. He will be my hero forever.

P.A. Nethmini Prathibha,
Grade 10,
H/Ruhunu Vijayaba College,
Beliatta.

The importance of teachers

There are many teachers whom we know from childhood. Our school has about 95 teachers. They help us in our studies. Most of the teachers are kind. Some teachers are strict.

There are many difficult subjects. They explain to us the difficult subjects. They guide us to lead a prosperous life and to be useful citizens in society.

Teachers are like our parents. When we fall ill in school, they take us to the first aid room and give us medicine. There is a special day designated for teachers. Teacher's Day fell on October 6. On this day children worship them by giving them sheaves of betel.

We give presents and greeting cards on this day. The greatest gift that we can give them is good results in examinations. We must respect our teachers and be obedient to them. This is a dedication to St. Anne's Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Wattala on Teacher's Day.

Shirleen Dhanushka Titus,
Grade 9B,
St. Anne's Balika Maha Vidyalaya,
Wattala.