Winner: Value of Junior Observer

The Junior Observer is a very valuable magazine that the Sunday Observer gives us. It is a magazine that tells us about new things, and it gives us an opportunity to show our talents in Arts and Expressions. We can also introduce ourselves in a page called Kids dreams. But some children read only the Junior Observer which is not good. We should read all the sections of the Sunday Observer. By reading the newspapers we can improve our reading skills, learn new words, and also increase our knowledge. I am telling all readers to please read all sections of the Sunday Observer because it is good for us.

D. Yasoj Shri,
Grade 7,
Digana International School,
Kandy.

Winner: The Bermuda Triangle

Some say that Florida, Bermuda and Puerto Rico are the world’s most dangerous places. The combination of these places form a triangle which is known as Bermuda Triangle. This triangle is located in the Atlantic ocean. Some say this is a very dangerous place because many ships and aeroplanes which went through the Bermuda Triangle never returned. Most people think that this is a result of aliens but these are only myths. The scientific reason for missing ships and aeroplanes is the high magnetic force in the Bermuda Triangle.

Adithya Shenali Sooriarachchi,
Grade 8,
Yasodara Vidyalaya,
Colombo – 7.

Winner: My grandmother

My grandmother’s name is Mrs. D.M. Edirimanne. She lives in Ragama. She is 83 years. She is very kind. She is tall and thin. She can cook very well. I like to eat curries made by her. She tells me nice stories in the evening. She goes to the temple and observes Sil every Poya Day. I too go with her. She is a vegetarian. She is a retired school teacher. I love my grandmother very much.

Kasundie Kithara Jayawardane,
Grade 7,
Sri Palee College,
Horana.

Winner: J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter

J.K. Rowling is an author known for the Harry Potter series of books. J.K. Rowling is my favourite author while Harry Potter is one of my favourite stories. J.K. Rowling was born as Joanne Rowling in Yate, Gloucestershire in England on 31st July, 1965. Growing up in England, she went to school and studied hard. The idea for Harry Potter came to Rowling while travelling on the train to London from Manchester in 1990. The train had been delayed and she came up with the idea for a story which took place in a secret school of wizardry, and had a young boy wizard as the hero. The main characters and ideas branched off from there, and she was soon writing her first book.

Upto now she has written seven books in her Harry Potter series. They are Philosopher’s Stone, Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azbakan, Goblet of Fire, Order of the Phoenix, Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows. I love to read Harry Potter books over and over again.

Anne Mihashi Neelika Ranasinghe,
Grade 9,
Ave Maria Convent,
Negombo.

Winner: Importance of trees

Trees are man’s greatest friends. They give him food and medicine. They provide timber for buildings, and fuel for cooking. Their roots prevent soil erosion. Trees protect nature. But we cut down trees and ruin nature. Trees are cut down for building homes, for making furniture, for fuel, for heating and cooking. We should conserve our forests and save our waterways.

Tree planting is encouraged by television, radio and other media. People are encouraged to preserve and plant trees. Tree planting is done on National Hero’s Day, World Environment Day, and National Independence Day.

Trees are our best friends. We cannot exist without them. They absorb the carbon dioxide in the environment. Trees form a large part of the Earth. Forests are called 'Green Gold of the Earth.' Trees are important for us, and therefore we must save trees.

Babu Pavithra,
Grade 9,
St. Anthony’s Girls’ College,
Kandy.

The day I lost my kite

My kite was very beautiful. My father made it for me. My younger brother and I got together and flew the kite. When it was flying higher and higher, we felt happy. My brother jumped up laughing. I watched it proudly. The kite floated high up in the sky. The wind blew very hard. It broke the string of the kite. I was very sad. My brother cried a lot. My eyes too were full of tears. The kite flew far and far away. It disappeared like a black dot. We returned home sad.

B.B. Nethmini Nawodya,
Grade 9,
R/Kumburugamuwa M.V.,
Halvinna, Godakawela.

A beautiful waterfall

The Diyaluma waterfall is about 220 metres high and it takes the second place among the highest waterfalls in Sri Lanka. This beautiful waterfall is situated in Koslanda. The Diyaluma fall is formed by the Punagala Oya. In Sinhalese, Diyaluma or Diya Haluma means “rapid flow of water.” So, it was named as Diyaluma fall. This fall is famous among tourists. They like this place because of its unspoiled natural beauty.

Hirushi Rashmika Amarasinghe,
Grade 7,
Devi Balika Vidyalaya,
Colombo 8.

Myself

My name is Himanshi. I'm eight years. I live in Himbutana. I have a sister. My mother's name is Dilani. She is a housewife. My father's name is Priyantha. He is a businessman. My best friend is Keshani. I like to eat rice and curry. I like to drink orange juice. My ambition is to be a doctor one day. I'm a good girl.

Himanshi Yashodya,
Grade 3,
Kolonnawa Balika Vidyalaya.

Arrival of Prince Vijaya

A Prince called Vijaya and his retinue consisting of seven hundred people from India arrived and settled in Sri Lanka in 544 B.C. The place where Vijaya and his retinue landed is called Thambapanni. There lived a group of people who belonged to a tribe called Yakka in the country. A woman called Kuveni who belonged to the Yakka tribe caught Prince Vijaya’s people and hid them. Prince Vijaya who realised that Kuveni was a Yakka woman raised his sword, frightened her and rescued his people.

Later on Prince Vijaya married Kuveni. She bore a male and a female child for Prince Vijaya. They were Jeewahatha and Disala. After a day of celebration in Siriwathu, Kuweni helped Prince Vijaya to kill all the people of the Yakka tribe and become the King of Sri Lanka. After the arrival of Prince Vijaya and his retinue, the customs and traditions prevailing in Indian society spread in this country too.

F. Shipa Mohamed,
Grade 6,
Al-mannar International School.