Winner:

‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’

Have you heard of a country which is known as the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean.’ That’s my motherland where I was born. Everyone knows it as Sri Lanka.

Ancient kings and queens who ruled the country dedicated their lives to build our country as a prosperous and free country. Now we enjoy the result of what they did. However, it has been an agricultural country since ancient times and most of the people are farmers. They grow enough for the nation.

But, now western influence has changed the lifestyles of the people and it has changed over time. Now we too are stepping into a world of technology but the country is a wonder of the world.

However the culture and customs which belong to Sri Lankans are better than those of the European countries. I love my country where I need to be a good citizen.

Sahasra Weerasinghe, Grade 9, Viharamaha Devi Balika, Badulla.

Winner:

France

France is a beautiful country. In the French flag there are three colours. They are blue, white and red. It is famous for cheese, wine and perfumes. The national day of France is July 14.

The capital of France is Paris. There are so many rivers in France, such as La Loire and La Seine. Their currency is euro. Neighbouring countries of France are Italy and Germany.

France is famous for rich food. People in some countries speak French and use it as their official language.

I love France and I also learn French. There are so many things to see in France.

H.G. Chathumi Sandanima, Grade 6, Sussex Collete, Matara.

Winner:

A pencil speaks

My name is Pencil. I’m thin and long. My height is 15 cm. I am made of graphite and wood. I was made in a big factory. I have many names such as Atlas, Nataraja and Richard.

They rap my body with coloured paper. After making me they packed me into a lorry. The driver goes to many bookshops.

After going to the bookshop I met many friends. Those friends are pencil sharpeners, erasers, rulers, books, pens, A4 papers, art papers, chalk, colour pencils and story books.

Many small children make me angry because they sharpen my head always. Then I become short. When I am very short, children throw me away.

Some good children love me. They put me into pencil boxes and treat me very well. Many educated people such as doctors, engineers and teachers came to this position with my help.

I am not angry with anybody even when they harass me. Your success is my only wish.

Long live the pencil.

P.A. Dewmini Sathsara Kumari, Grade 6B, NCEF Buddhist College, Mulleriywa New Town.

Winner:

My goal is to be a lawyer

As humans our thoughts are more powerful than our actions. Our actions in turn determine our destiny. So all of us born to this world have our own goals and destinies. Just being born and dying doesn’t make sense.

Are you a person who wants to make your life adventurous? Then, remember, that there is someone like you too. And that is me!

My goal is taking care of my life because its not an easy task for me to succeed.

My goal is to be a lawyer. This is my ambition and I have made it my goal.

I’m going to work hard and make my dream come true.

Shabithra Wijeyaratnam, Grade 9A, Lyceum International School, Nuwara Eliya.

Winner:

The postman

The postman works in a post office. He brings us letters. He wears a uniform. He sports a cap and rides a bicycle to deliver the letters.

When he rings the bell we know he has come to our house. He handles a very responsible job. He goes throughout the village distributing letters. The postman is busy during Vesak and New Year days.

Shahira Ifthikar, Grade 6, UNH International School, Wattala.

A letter to my father

My dear father,

How are you? I love you so much. I cannot express my love to you through words. You are my world. You are going to send me faraway from home. I cannot see your face for a week.

How did you take the decision to send me to a hostel, father? My heart is full of sadness. You are sending me to a hostel as I have done some small mistakes. It's all right.

Anyway I know that you are doing this for my welfare. You are mine. I love you more than anyone and you know that well. You know that every breath I take, every step I keep, every word I speak I remember you.

You are my best friend. I love you so much.. I end this letter dear father. I am your daughter Shahnas.

Goodbye!

Shahnas Begum Farook, Grade 8, Sammanthurai Muslim Maha Vidyalaya.

My favourite author

My favourite author is Martin Wickremasinghe. He is one of the most talented writers in Sri Lanka.Every school-going child has read his novel Madol Doowa. His style of writing is very simple. Anyone can enjoy reading his books.

Some of his books are prize winners.Madol Doova and Gamperaliya can be watched on the television. Some of his other books are Viraya, Yugantaya and Kaliyagaya. Martin Wickremasinghe is a writer who has understood the human nature well.

Nimesha Ekanayaka, Grade 9A, Udadumbara Secondary School.

The importance of reading newspapers

“Reading maketh a full man,” is a saying that we have heard. It is a hobby. We can read storybooks, novels, fairy tales, newspapers, magazines and legends. Among these the newspaper is the most popular.

The newspaper is one of the medias of communication. We can read newspapers during our leisure time.Newspapers are available at bookshops and groceries. They are not expensive. They give us first hand news not only about Sri Lanka but also about other countries in the world.

Newspapers consist of local news, foreign news, obituaries, employment, advertisements and sports. The most important feature of a newspaper is its editorial. Newspapers are issued daily and weekly and.

Dinamina, Divaina, Lakbima,Silumina, Lankadeepa and Rivira are Sinhala newspapers.The English newspapers are the Sunday Observer, Daily News, Daily Mirror, The Island and Sunday Times. Thinakaran,Dinapathi, Weerakesari and Sudaroli are the Tamil dailies.

As children we have to read newspapers.Wijaya, Mihira, Vidulaka, Sithmina, Chathura and Satharaare children's newspapers. We can see cartoons in newspapers. They are interesting and humorous.

At present people are busy. They have no time to read newspapers. We can read them while travelling. They educate us and provide information. We can improve our knowledge and build our future by reading newspapers.

M.R. Tharuka Prabashvary, Grade 11A, Alawwa Sri Rahula M.M.V.

True friends will never part

There are many friends around us but only a few of them are true. We like to have good friends in our lives.We share our things and never do bad things. It is our responsibility to avoid anyone who is going in the wrong path. I think that is the bond of true friendship.

There are different types of friends.We should be able to select our friends. Some friends help us in trouble. Some friends hurt us. To hurt is not a good quality of a friend.

Good friends teach us many lessons and they prevent us from doing wrong. There are bad friends who are waiting to laugh at us when we do something wrong.

Sadeesha Jayathilaka, Grade 9A, Devi Balika Vidyalaya.

Life

Life is like a game,
Having a definite aim.
The aim is like a flame,
That lights up one's fame.
It is like a bubble,
That has a short life.
Life is like a cable,
That's very flexible.
Life is like competency,
Winners can change daily.
Life is so uncertain,
But we must lead a meaningful life.

H.M. Rangika Sathsarani Herath, Grade 8, Kegalle Balika Vidyalaya, Kegalle.