Winner: Importance of breakfast

There is a saying that ‘You should eat breakfast like a king.’ It doesn’t mean that you should eat rich and tasty food, but the food should be healthy and nourishing.

Breakfast improves the mental and physical performance of growing children. We should have a healthy breakfast to maintain healthy body weight. We should always make home-made food without any flavours and preservatives to prevent disease.

Lack of concentration, lethargy and behavioural problems are some symptoms when you do not have a healthy breakfast. It is healthy to eat fresh fruits after breakfast which contain vitamins.

Skipping breakfast is not a good habit. Having a healthy breakfast will lead us to our life’s goal.

Ravindu Kariyawasam, Grade 8A, Maris Stella College, Negombo.

Winner: Mama’s little helper

We must make our mothers lives easier. When we were young, our mothers took care of us. We can help our mothers in a small way which will be of great help. It is our duty as girls to help her in washing the dishes, sweeping and keeping the room neat and tidy.

The more we help her, the happier she will be. I help my mother in many ways such as cutting the vegetables, tidying and washing the green leaves whenever she cooks. I help her in dusting and folding the clothes. Now I help her in gardening. If each of us love and care for our mothers, we will use every opportunity to help her.

The greatest thing in this world, is to see your mother smile and that you are the reason behind it.

Fadhila Imtiaz, Grade 8D, Hejaaz International School,Dehiwala.

Winner: My hobby

My hobby is reading. I have a large collection of books. I like to read books on Buddhism, Science, History and novels. My mother buys me many books.

I read a book every day before I go to bed. I read English and Sinhala books too.

Reading improves my knowledge. We learn many things by reading. My parents encourage me to read books. I love to read books.

Thihansa Vimukthi Alutwala, Grade 2J, Asian International School, Colombo 5.

Winner: The Sinharaja Forest Reserve

The Sinharaja Forest Reserve is considered one of the marvellous creations of Mother Nature, enhancing the beauty of the South Western part of Sri Lanka. The forest reserve with an area of 11,187 ha spills over Ratnapura, Galle and Matara Districts comes under the Forest Department.

The annual rainfall of the Sinharaja Forest is around 3,000 mm-6,000 mm and receives rain from South West and North East monsoonal rains. Due to the high rainfall, the Sinharaja Forest has lushness of greenery. This relatively undisturbed forest is a Sri Lankan heritage and considered the last patch of lowland ever green rain forest.

The Sinharaja Forest Reserve was declared an International Man and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1978 and subsequently a World Heritage site in 1989. There are five main layers namely, emergent, canopy, sub canopy, under storey and ground.

Sinharaja has an extremely high biological diversity with a large number of flora and fauna of the 217 plant species endemic to Sri Lanka, 140 plant species are found in Sinharaja. Hora, Na, Beraliya, Wana Mee, Walukeena, Beru are some of the important endemic plants in the forest while there are a large number of endemic orchids too in this mysterious forest.

Sinha Gala, Giant Nawada trees are famous sites in the forest. The height of the Giant Nawada tree is about 43m and the girth is about 6.3m. The Nawada tree is about 350 years. There is a large number of waterways starting from this mighty forest which feeds the Gin Ganga and Kalu Ganga.

When you visit Sinharaja remember to leave only your footprints and bring back only the memories you cherished and protect this priceless heritage for posterity.

Nithuli Subasinghe, Grade 10E, Vidura College,Colombo.

Winner: The policeman

The word ‘Police’ stands for Politeness, Obedience, Loyalty, Intelligence, Civility and Efficiency. Therefore, a policeman should have all these qualities.

The policeman is special person because he protects us. He has to control traffic, vehicles and carriages on the highway. They arrest thieves and criminals and do a great service to society.

His other duties are to guard important places such as Parliament, President’s House, banks and government departments. There are many positions in the Police Department. Some have high designations.

He dedicate his life to protect us. We must admire his humble and devoted service and obey him.

H.R.M. Prabath Sandeepa Rajapaksha, Grade 6, Ambanpola, Wayamba Royal College,Kurunegala.

Our animal friends

Animals are living beings like us. They help us to maintain a good bio-diversity. Reptiles, insects and birds too belong to the animal kingdom. Bees give us honey, hens give us eggs and meat, cows give us milk, dogs help protect our houses and elephants help us to transport logs. We get some medicine as well from some animals like honey.

Animals beautify the environment. There are many endemic animals in our country such as wild elephants. Many tourists visit our country to see them. We should protect our animal friends.

I. H. Chanuthi Dinayana, Grade 9, Yasodara Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo 8.

I am a frog

My name is ‘Poison arrow frog.’ I am very common in the rain forest of South America. My homeland is Amazon forest. My body is small and my skin has yellow, black, and green colours. Some of my friends are blue. A poison gland is found in my body. Red Indians collect our poison and make poisoned arrows. They use it as a weapon to hunt and for their tribal fights. I am a marvel in the world of animals but no one likes me.

R. M. D. A. Thisadara Ekanayake, Grade 9C, Dehiaththakandiya National School.

Myself

My name is Sara. I live in Kiribathkubura. I study in Grade three at Swarnamali Girls’ College in Kandy. I have one brother. My mother, Swarnamali is a teacher and my father, Ajith is a businessman. My favourite food is noodles. My hobby is reading books and newspapers. My best friends are Snuri, Vihara and Thirandhi. I love my family a lot.

Sara Rasmini Kaluarachchi, Grade 3, Swarnamali Girls’ College, Kandy.