Winner: An autobiography of a newspaper

My name is the Sunday Observer. I was made at Lake House in Sri Lanka. I am an English newspaper. I have many pages which give you knowledge and fun as well.

When I was in Lake House, I was very happy because I had many friends. But after some time we were all packed into bundles and sent out. I miss my friend, the Silumina. In the bundle I was feeling lonely. I slept for some time. Suddenly I woke up with a shock. I realised the package had fallen. After some time I was loaded into a van. After a few hours the van stopped in front of a newspaper agent and the van driver handed over the bundles to the shopkeeper.

In the morning, an old man bought me for sixty rupees and put me into a vegetable bag and took me in a bus and that was the happiest moment in my life because he read the paper and gave the news to the man who was seated next to him.

After some time, he put me again in the vegetable bag, when I took a nap for a short while. Suddenly I heard a little girl shouting “Grandfather is coming, I think he has brought the newspaper.” Then he gave me to the little girl. She ran quickly into the house and started reading, drawing, filling the puzzles on me. I was very happy after reading, she gave me to the other family members. After they read me, the lady of the house rolled up and placed me on top of a cupboard, where I met many old friends, I was happy for the rest of my life.

D.M.Buwanajith Dissanayaka,
Grade 9,
St. Sylvester’s College, Kandy.

Winner: A healthy diet for a strong future

Nowadays most people enjoy eating fast foods such as pizza, burgers, fried chicken and drinking Coca-Cola. All this is good once in a while. Many people eat these food items for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

However, this food can cause cancer, stomach pains and obesity. Home cooked food or fruits and vegetables are the best for a healthy life.

Reduce the intake of fast food and eat more healthy meals as the famous saying goes “An apple a day, keeps the doctor away.”

Irene Elizabeth,
Grade 10,

Winner: If I become a princess...

I have read many stories how a princess leads her life. I also hope to become a princess one day. I will be the happiest girl in the world if I become a princess. Then my mother will be a queen and my father a king and my brother a prince. I will be very rich.

I will own a lot of land. I can help the villagers to grow various kinds of vegetables and fruits. I can play in the flower gardens and travel around the world. I can wear pretty dresses and jewellery.

The kings and queens of different countries would visit me to enjoy hospitality. I will help them in their needs.

If I become a princess I will never forget my past.

Udamy Tharumuthu Jayasuriya,
Grade 7C,
St. Lawrence’s Convent,
Colombo 6.

Winner: Is Children’s Day only confined to October 1?

Many countries celebrate Children’s Day. Children are the picture of innocence and everybody loves them. In Sri Lanka, October 1 is dedicated to children and everybody tries his or her best to make children happy on this day. Universally, Children’s Day is celebrated on November 20.

But is this all? Is it only a matter of a day of celebrations, cakes and crackers or is this day really intended to promote the welfare and well-being of children? Each day in every corner of the world a child is harassed or abused and the numbers are staggering.

Thousands of children die each day as a result of abuse or neglect. Child abuse knows no barriers, no race or religion. It may happen in your neighbourhood. While it may seem easier to live in denial, child abuse is everywhere.

The government and the authorities must take strict measures to ensure the safety and well-being of children, ensuring a safer tomorrow where they could walk out and reach their goals. Childhood is all about innocence and playfulness. It is about joy and freedom which money can't buy.

Parents play an important role in children’s lives because they learn more from what they are than what you teach.

The best way to raise children with a positive mind or in a negative world is to have good parents who love them unconditionally and serve as excellent role models.

Spending time with children is more important than spending money on them. What children really need is proper channelling of abilities, rights, guidance and training in a desired environment.

N.D. Anjalika Dilmi,
Grade 12E,
Holy Cross College, Gampaha.

Winner: Sinharaja rain forest

The Sinharaja rain forest is the largest in Sri Lanka and is around 9,000 hectares in extent. In 1989, it was recorded in the world heritage list as the first heritage forest in Sri Lanka by UNCESCO.

There are rare animals, trees, birds, insects, reptiles and butterflies in this forest. Many endemic plants and animals live here. If these varieties of plants and animals are destroyed the world would lose them forever. The Blue Magpie, White Headed Starling and Ash-Headed Babbler are some of the threatened species.

Steps should be taken to conserve this valuable habitat.

H.A.Dasuni Thiloma,
Grade 7,
Bomiriya Central College,
Kaduwela.

Books

Books are very useful. They provide a lot of knowledge. There are various types of books. We must keep our books neat by wrapping covers. I love my books.

Thihansa Vimukthi Alutwala,
Grade 2,
Asian International School,Colombo

My cat

My cat is Kitty. She is two years old. My aunt presented Kitty to me on my birthday. She likes to eat fish and drink milk. Kitty loves to play with me. I love my Kitty and she too loves me.

Thanasha Samanmi Ukwatta,
Grade 2A,
Lyceum International School,Panadura.

Myself

My name is Chamoda Neethmini. I am nine years old. My school is MR/Bamunugama Maha Vidyalaya. My class teacher is Ranjani. I have a brother and a sister. My brother is Emalka. My sister is Dewmi.

My father's name is Jayantha and my mother's name is Suranjika. My hobby is reading books. My best friend is Ruvindi. My favourite colour is pink. I can run fast but cannot swim. I like to eat fruits but do not like apples. I like to become a doctor one day.

Chamoda Neethmini,
Grade 3, MR/Bamunugama Maha Vidyalaya.

My hobby

My hobby is collecting stickers. I have around 260 stickers. I have Disney, Ben 10, Winnie the Pooh and car stickers. I have pasted them on my sticker book according to the shapes and sizes. Some are rectangular, circular and triangular in shape. I got some stickers from my friends and parents. I love collecting stickers because they are beautiful.

Kulsar Jahan Hassan,
Grade 5F,
Muslim Ladies College, Colombo.

Swimming

Swimming is an interesting hobby and a useful sport. A person who can swim could save himself and others from drowning. Swimming is a good exercise for the body and mind. In the European continent almost everyone can swim.

There are several swimming clubs in Sri Lanka. In some schools students do swimming as an extracurricular activity. There is no difficulty in learning to swim and become good swimmers.

Nathali De Silva,
Grade 9,
Good Shepherd Convent, Kandy.