Winner: Elephants

Elephants are the largest mammals on earth. There are two kinds of elephants, the African and the other Asian.

The Asian elephant has smooth jaws and five toe nails on each foot. Their tusks are smooth and ears are small. Asian elephants live in herds and only a few of them have tusks.

The African elephant is huge and has rough teeth and very large ears.

Elephants feed on grass, plants, varieties of bamboo and fruits. Their lifespan is between 25-60 years. In Sri Lanka, elephants are trained to take part in festivals.

S.P.U. Hanshini Senadeera, Grade 10A, I.M.S. International School, Gampola.
 

Winner: Let’s protect trees

Trees are valuable to men and animals. They give us shelter, food and medicine. The timber is used to construct houses and make furniture.

Trees prevent soil erosion because their roots are deeply embedded in the earth and even strong winds cannot uproot the them. The soil around these roots don’t get washed away.

It is our duty to protect trees and look after them. When we cut a tree we should replace it by planting another in its place. It takes only a few hours to cut a tree but many years to grow one.

Sahan Vihiranga, Tissa Central College, Kalutara.
 

Winner: My favourite hobby

‘Hobbies’ are activities in which we engage ourselves during our leisure. It is different according to the likes and dislikes of people. Some of the common hobbies are reading, collecting stamps, watching television, gardening and drawing. The main aim is to find relaxation and enjoyment by taking up a hobby.

My favourite hobby is reading. I like reading due to many reasons. It improves our general knowledge and we experience different things in life and learn how to face them. Another reason is that it provides entertainment and pleasure.

There is a famous saying by Francis Bacon “Reading maketh a full man.”

Hope you too will spend your leisure meaningfully as I do.

Vonara Kasundi de Silva, Grade 9, Sussex College, Kiribathgoda.
 

Winner: My home town

My home town is Beruwala. It is on the seaside in the Kalutara District.

There are about 20,000 people from different communities and religions in the area.

In Beruwala, there are large buildings, schools, hospitals, banks and a market. It is a small town with mosques, temples and churches.

Most of the people do fishing for a living. It is a town where tourists throng right through the year.

Salma Lafir, Year 4, Harrow International College, Beruwala.
 

Winner: Our school sports meet

I am studying at Lyceum International School, Wattala. The primary school sports meet was held on November 29, 2015 at the school grounds. I went to school at 7.30 a.m. on that day. My house is ‘Aquila,’ and its colour is red. I saw my house tent decorated beautifully. I went straight to my house tent.

I was selected to take part in the relay at the sports meet. When the time came for my event, my athletics coach took me to the starting point. I stood there alert to start the race. At the boom of the gunshot, I took off and ran straight to the winning point.

My team came first and I was very happy. After the awards ceremony, we returned home with happy and pleasant memories.

B. Gihen Rashmika, Grade 3E, Lyceum International School, Wattala.
 

Sunday fair

There is a fair in my village every Sunday. It is a big fair. There are many vendors. There are vegetables, fruits, coconuts, yams and green leaves on one side and pots, toys and clothes on the other. There is fish and meat on one side. There are ice-cream, gram and chocolate vendors too. It is a busy place. I go to the fair every Sunday with my mother.

Asanthi Nelum Udayangi Weerasekara, Grade 7A, Royal English School.
 

My favourite band

My favourite band is ‘One Direction.’ The five singers in the band are Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson. They made it to the top of the music industry after making it through the X factor in 2010 as solo singers. They did not know each other when they signed as X factor competitors. They come from different parts of England and Niall is from Ireland. They were asked to work together as a team but Liam Payne was hesitant as he was not familiar with composing music. When the band was formed Harry Styles called it ‘One Direction.'

Many songs of One Direction became hits such as 'What makes you beautiful' and 'Live while we're young.' They released many albums. The members of the band are eager to meet their fans and say 'Hello.' They are always full of joy and entertainment.

My favourite member of the band is Zayn Malik. He was born on January 12, 1993. He has three sisters, Doniya, Waliyha and Safaa. His mother is Tricia Malik and his father is Yaser Malik. Zayn's mother is English and his father is a British-Pakistani. Zayn can draw well and loves to spray paint his walls apart from singing. He is an interesting character and it makes One Direction more amazing.

Zayniya Ali, Grade 10, Ilma International Girls’ School.
 

If I had a million dollars

If I had a million dollars, I would be the happiest girl in my school. I will spend the money wisely. I will buy sarees for my teachers who had helped me to be who I am today. I will take my friends on a trip wherever they would like to go.

I will take my class teacher and classmates to the most popular restaurant in the town.

I will donate money to the poor and the orphans. I would also donate money to hospitals and temples.

My family is loving and caring and so I will take them on a long journey and enjoy ourselves.

I will take them shopping as well. I will deposit the remaining money in my bank account. I hope my wish comes true.

Rushani Gunasekara, Grade 7A, C.S.I College, Kohuwala.