Winner:

Uses and abuses of television

Television is a great invention. The use and abuse of it is man’s own choice. Television has many uses. In the sphere of education television is the best. Seeing is believing and seeing is learning. We can learn about other countries, their people, culture, traditions, their way of life, their interests and ideals. In the field of science and medicine there is nothing on par with television. Even reporting on sports and games the TV is the leader. If used in the correct way TV is man’s greatest asset.

But the use of TV if abused can be man’s downfall. There is so much on television that is not suitable for children. Especially the episodes of films shown on TV mislead youth which might encourage them to be involved in crime. If this is not stopped there will be no salvation for youth.

The Discovery Channel shows us what wealth God has created for man to enjoy. It also awakens us that we should be lovers of nature and preserve it. There are programs such as cartoons, children’s programs to encourage abilities, debates between schools, testing IQs and general knowledge, dramas staged by students and art galleries. Classical dances shown on the channel which uplift young professionals should be encouraged.

In one country a recent survey showed that the average person spent three and a half hours a day watching television.

Shasmitha Shanthakumar,
Grade 9,
Bandarawela Tamil MMV.

Winner:

Computer Vision Syndrome

Computers today are a necessity, especially at the work place. Long hours staring at the computer screen have led to a series of symptoms, collectively known as Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS).

Vision problems of computer users are real. The most common symptoms faced by computer users are eye strain, headaches, blurred vision, dry (irritated eyes), burning sensation of eyes, neck (back aches), highlight sensitivity, after images and double vision. These symptoms can largely be resolved with proper management of the environment.

Some common ways to resolve CVS are blinking, eye exercise, 20-20-20 rule, font, monitor, keyboard, document holder and room lighting.

Blinking: The normal blink rate is 12-15 times per minute. However, this rate decreased while using computers. It is important to blink frequently as it helps maintain tear stability.

Eye exercise: Closing the eyes and slowly rolling the eye balls in clockwise and anti-clockwise direction.

20-20-20 rule: Taking a short break every 20 minutes for 20 seconds and staring at an object that is 20 feet away from the eyes or just closing the eyes for relaxation.

Font: The font size on the computer screen should be big enough to read the text even from a distance (thrice that of the usual working distance)

A dark font colour on a lighter background should be used.

Monitor: The monitor should ideally be placed at a distance of 20 inches (50 cm) from the eyes.

The centre of the monitor should be 6-8 inches below eye level.

The monitor should be straight ahead of the person and should be titled back at an angle of 15 degrees.

Higher contrast and lesser brightness is ideal and this should be adjusted according to the room’s lighting.

Keyboard: The keyboard and mouse should be placed below elbow level.

A wrist rest in front of the keyboard helps keep the wrists straight. The wrist rest should be soft. Also, adjustable arm rests on the chair helps keep the wrists straight.

Document holder: A document holder should be positioned at the same distance and height of the monitor.

Room lighting: Light shining directly into the monitor should be avoided. Anti-glare screens can be used for this purpose. Curtains or blinds should be used to control the amount of light entering the room.

If you suffer from computer vision syndrome, take care to resolve it. Consult your doctor and get your eyes tested.

V.Sambanthan Pradhushika,
Grade 7E,
Highlands Central College,
Hatton.

Winner:

I love books

I love books. On holidays I pick up any book and get so engrossed in it that I often forget to eat. My mother yells at me to have my lunch.

At times my friends come over, but, if I am reading an interesting story I have to put the books down to play with them.

I have built a little library of my own at home.

I have fairy tales, folk tales from different parts of the world, fun books, books on Geography, Science, History and Health Science all of which are presented in the form of a story.

Books hold a great charm for me. I find that I know a lot about various things, whereas my friends who don’t read books at home, don’t know half the things that I do. They love to hear the stories that I read.

Some of my friends too have now started enjoying reading books. Most of my relatives and friends know that the best birthday gift that they can give me is books and with their generosity. I have over a hundred books in my personal library now. I always keep in mind that “Reading maketh a full man.”

Nusky Nasoordeen,
Grade 6B,
Lyceum International School,
Wattala.

Winner:

My favourite subject

My favourite subject is English. It is an international language. I have five English periods per week. On Fridays we have morning assembly in English. I like to speak English.

There are lot of English story books in our library. I read them during the library period.

My parents also help me to learn English. They buy English newspapers and story books for me. My English teacher help me with our English knowledge. My school has an English unit. I want to be an English teacher one day.

E.M. Thiwanka Thathisarani,
Grade 7D,
Humbuluwa Central College,
Alawwa.

Winner:

Sinharaja, the place I like to visit

I like to visit Sinharaja the largest and undisturbed rain forest in Sri Lanka. It is Sri Lanka's first world Heritage forest. It's area is about 9000 hectares. It has nine hills. Many streams start from these hills. The tallest hill is Hinipitigala. Its highest point is 1060 metres. There is a waterfall called Duwili Ella. It rains heavily throughout the year in Sinharaja.

The vegetation in Sinharaja attracts visitors. There are very rare trees, plants, herbs and creepers in the forest. Many animals such as deer, leopards, elephants, birds, bees, butterflies, insects and reptiles live there. It is home to many rare animals and birds such as purple faced monkey, wild pig, sambhur, mouse deer, barking deer, spotted cat, fishing cat, blue magpie, white headed starling and ash-headed babble. All these add beauty to the forest.

There are many foot paths in the forest. These are made by villagers looking for fruits, firewood and bees' honey. These foot paths help visitors to walk in the forest.

This is a big greenland in Sri Lanka. We are proud of this forest. We must protect this world heritage, for our younger brothers and sisters.

R.M. Gagani Tharushika,
Grade 7A,
Swarnamali Girl's College,
Kandy.

New Year thoughts

A year will end but memories of that year will never end. Year 2014, ended as a puddle of water rushing down from high mountains. It was a successful year nourished with love, peace, joy, happiness and also cries. Now it’s not time to recall memories, let’s await for 2015. Have you decided on your dreams? Let’s take a glance at my future thoughts.

I like to start the new year with blessings. Why do people go to temples, churches, mosques or kovils? That’s to get blessings. I always think of my future goals. My goals are to be a well-behaved boy, Punctuality, to obey my parents and also to pass the examination with flying colours. Next is to win a gold medal at the National Championship, swimming meet. Fortunately I have also thought to play cricket so that I could dislodge every single wicket!

I want to fly above the clouds on a luxurious plane so that I could see whether man or bird is faster. I wait to practise spiritual activities so that I could see God in heaven. I want to study and to make education the weapon to the modern world as a reality.

Why not? I will not allow books to be used as fuel in my kitchen but I will read them and make sure I have a rich vocabulary.

I would spend the new year in a worthy and in a correct path so that I could taste the read essence of 2015. Wishing you a very happy New Year.

Savindu Hiranniya Herat,
Grade 8C,
Royal International School,
Kurunegala.

My best friend

My best friend is Oshadi. She lives in Kandy. She has one brother and no sisters. She attends Girls’ High School in Kandy. She is in grade six. She comes to school by van.

Oshadi makes me happy by narrating fairy tales which she knows. Her favourite colours are red and pink.She is kind and pretty. Netball is her favourite sport and chess is her favourite game. The book she likes most is Matilda.

My best friend was born in 2003. Her hobby is gardening. She likes to eat rice and curry but she does not like to eat cake. She likes to drink pure water and she does not like to drink mango juice.

Achala Sakalasooriya is her class teacher. Good advice is given by her parents. Her mother prepares tasty meals. She wakes up early in the morning. I love my best friend and she loves me too.

S.M. Charika Nilakshi Samarakoon,
Grade 6D,
Girls’ High School,Kandy.

Air pollution

Air pollution occurs when waste pollutes the air. Artificially created waste is the main source of air pollution. They can be in the form of gases or particles. Such waste results chiefly from the burning of fuel to power motor vehicles and to heat buildings.

Air pollution also occurs from industrial processes and the burning of solid wastes. Natural pollutants include dust, pollen, and soil particles.

The rapid growth of population,industries and the increase in the number of motor vehicles and airplanes has contributed to air pollution. This affects not only humans but also plants, animals, fabrics, building materials and the economy too.

F. Amaani Mumtaz,
Grade 5B,
Darul Uloom Academy.

The stars

Oh! Look at the stars,
How they shine in the night sky.
Oh father, Look!They look like bright bulbs in the sky.

Yesterday they were not shining bright,
But today they are shining so much brighter,
Pretty star, pretty star,
Please be bright always up there.

Anton Sarukesh,
P5A,
St. Thomas’ Catholic International College,
Seeduwa.