Winner: The Esala perahera

The Esala perahera is one of the grandest pageants in Kandy.

It is popular pilgrimage site in Sri Lanka because the Dalada Maligawa is in Kandy.

The Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha is taken round the Kandy City on the day of the Esala perahera. It is held in August. Thousands of people witness the rituals and pay homage to the Tooth Relic. Women are generally not permitted to participate in the procession.

Devotees can witness many features in the Esala perahera.

Dewmi Sathsarani Perera,
Grade 9,
St. Anthony’s International School,
Walpola.

Winner: The beggar man

A beggar man is a poor man. He begs for money from people. Some beggars beg for food and some women sit by the side of the road with the children and beg for money. We feel sorry for the beggars.

They walk or sit under the hot sun. In many religious places beggars can be seen. Lots of beggars are not clean because they do not have good clothes and washrooms.

Some are differently-able and they get into buses and trains and sing and collect money. This is the way they make their living.

Thusvi Liyanage,
Grade 3B,
Royal Institute International School,
Nugegoda.

Winner: Tourist attractions in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is famous as a tourist paradise throughout the world. There are many tourist attractions. Some of them are the ancient ruins, waterfalls, Botanical Gardens and the sandy beaches.

Thousands of foreign tourists visit these places everyday. Sri Lanka has a cultural heritage of over 2,500 years. Many cities were the capitals of kings. Today these cities are popular because of the wonderful paintings, ruins of great buildings and monuments.

We have several wild sanctuaries. Tourists enjoy watching wild animals in these natural habitats. The Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya and Haggala attract many tourists.

Many tourists visit Sri Lanka because of its attraction. We can be proud of the beauty of Mother Lanka.

M.R.F. Azmira,
Grade 9E,
Zahira National College, Mawanella.

Winner: The life of a soldier

A soldier is ready to sacrifice his life for his motherland. He has helped usherin peace in the country. We refer to them as brave soldiers, but do we ever think of the lives they lead? Can we be happy with the peace we have gained? How many soldiers have sacrificed their lives in the war?

How many parents would have lost their children? How many wives and children would have lost their husbands and fathers? Who can fill the void. Can it be filled by giving them money? How strong can a soldier be to remember his parents, wife and children and brave enough to face death at any moment in the battlefield.

Wilfred Owen, a soldier during the World War, in his poem “Anthem for doomed youth” says that war dehumanizes, depersonalizes and demoralizes. In one of his Latin poems “Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori”, he says don’t teach children the old lie that it is sweet and proper to die for one's motherland.

As the poet says we should have compassion towards soldiers who died in peace. We must always pray for them for ushering in peace to our country.

Nimasha Charuni,
Grade 11,
Sailan International School,
Negombo.

My passion is dancing

The dictionary describes ‘passion’ as a great enthusiasm. The way I think is very different. My passion is dancing. I have been a dancer for almost eleven years now. I am still exploring the elegant depths of this art. I like every new step that I learn in dancing.

I joined classes as a beginner with traditional Kandyan dancing and I have learned the basics of Baratha Natyam as well. What I like about dancing is the rhythmic flow and discipline it bears with every single movement.

Traditional Kandyan dancing is my favourite. I like the echoes of the amazing ‘Geta bera’. I am determined to master this graceful and elegant cultural dance.

Kaavya Bandaratilleke,
Grade 11,
Lyceum International School,
Wattala.

The value of reading

“There is no friend as loyal as a book,” says Ernest Hemingway.

Books are interesting companions if we know how to use them. Some students think of text books only when the need arises. There are many books which you can read for pleasure and profit.

Unless you have the skill of reading, you may not make good use of books or newspapers. This is a skill which everyone should acquire. Speed is essential in reading. But it is of no use if you do not understand what you are reading. You must read fast with understanding.

Continuous practice alone can give you this important skill. Reading improves with practice. The more you practise, the more skills you acquire in reading fast with understanding. It is very significant in education.

Reading is perhaps the most valuable habit that a person can have and it should be acquired when one is young.

“Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.”

Aaliya Sanoos,
Grade 8,
Loyal Ladies College.

My hobbyenjoy

My hobby is reading story books. I enjoy reading English books. I have a lots of story books. I read books in my room every evening.

Methmi Adeesha,
Grade 1,
Mayfield Super International College,
Daluwakotuwa, Kochchikade.

Importance of trees

Trees are a gift of nature. There are various kinds of trees. Some trees are special only for some countries. Trees give us food, oxygen, shelter, medicine, herbal cosmetics and timber.

Trees help to prevent soil erosion. Let us take care of the trees in our environment without destroying them.

Chamudi Nayanathara Jayasekara,
Grade 8A, Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda.