Winner: Reading books

The best leisure time activity is reading books. It increases mental alertness. Books can be categorised into novels and general knowledge books. Through general knowledge books we can learn about nature, inventions, inventors, chemicals, environment and the earth. Through story books we can enjoy fiction, adventure, different characters and amazing and imaginary places.

We can learn a lot of good things from books. We can gain knowledge and understanding. It helps us to relax, and reading books is the best leisure time activity for all age groups. People must improve their knowledge by reading good books.

P. Dhushanthiny,
Grade 9,
Mutwal Hindu College,
Colombo.

Winner: My grandmother

My grandmother’s name is Anulawathie. She is 63-years-old. She is very kind and smart. She cooks our food and sews our clothes. She is very active. Her hair is long and black in colour. Her favourite colour is light green, and her favourite food is rice. She loves me a lot, and I too love her.

W.G. Hasini Dinithya,
Grade 5,
Hill Country International School,
Kandy.

Winner: Cricket

Cricket is a favourite sport among young and the old. Our cricket team is recognised as one of the best teams in the world. Most parents encourage their children to play cricket. Many young boys dream of becoming cricketers. We learnt this sport from the British. We learn endurance and patience from this game. It is a very interesting sport.

H.M. Kalana Wewelpola,
Grade 9,
Ibbagamuwa Central College,
Ibbagamuwa.

Winner: A significant step in my life

The 31st of July was an unforgettable day in my netball career because the ‘All Island Interschool Milo Netball’ tournaments of 2016 were held in Matara on that day. We arrived at the venue at 8 o’clock. We started our warm up and waited eagerly until our school name was announced. At last they called the Sacred Heart Convent, Galle under 13 team and the Badulla Vihara Maya Devi Vidyalaya team. We were asked to go near Court No. 1.

I was the centre player in our team. At the beginning I was very excited, and when we shot our first centre pass I felt that winning this match was like peanuts. We were in the lead with 17 marks, and it was a very easy match. Then at 3 o’clock another announcement was given asking Sacred Heart Convent and Visakha College under 13 teams to go near court number 8. We were defeated by one goal in the match. Yet, our hopes and spirits are not defeated. We are looking forward to winning the 2017 All Island Inerschool Netball Tournament.

Sithmini Sirithunga,
Grade 8,
Sacred Heart Convent,
Galle.

Winner: My country

Sri Lanka is called the Pearl of the Indian ocean. It’s also called Serendib. It has many beautiful waterfalls. The most famous waterfalls are Diyaluma and Dunhinda. The tallest waterfall is Babarakanda. The main plantations are tea, rubber and coconut. There are wild life sanctuaries such as Yala and Wilpattu. Many foreigners come to Kandy to see the Esala Perahera.

Aaniya Ashik,
Grade 3,
Royal International,
Kurunegala.

Challenges of a teenager

Challenges are the difficult, unpleasant things a person has to face in life. They may have to make a strong decision which could be challenging. We gain knowledge as well as experience when we face challenges in life. They make us strong and successful. People face challenges mostly during their teenage years. Education is the most important challenge that teenagers have to face. But nowadays most teenagers do not give importance to education. Most of them are addicted to television, internet, hand phones and the social networking sites.

Teenagers should be responsible individuals in society. They must be selfless, honourable and kind. They can make a meaningful life for themselves, and do a service to the country. So what I believe is that if we are determined and strong-willed we can overcome challenges in life.

Vethma Laksadi Rathnayake,
Grade 11,
Mahamaya Girls’ College,
Kandy.

The problem of refugees in the world

Today, the problem of refugees in the world is a serious problem. It is a worldwide problem. Refugees are people who have lost their houses and are now living in refugee camps due to many reasons. Often, people are compelled to live in refugee camps due to wars. Also, natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunami force individuals into refugee camps. Poor and powerless people become refugees because of wealthy, power hungry people. There are refugees in individual countries, and under the U.N Administration.

The refugees in the world is increasing, and with it the refugee camps are also being firmly established. How can this problem be solved? The main cause of refugee war camps is the man himself. For example, when Hitler was ruling as a dictator in Germany, there were thousands of refugees in Europe. And when there was a civil war in Sri Lanka many refugee camps were set up. It became a massive social problem. Man must learn to honour and respect others around him. Refugee camps due to natural disasters are not that easy to prevent because man cannot completely control natural disasters.

Thurithavi Hasheendra Perera,
Grade 9,
Devi Balika Vidyalaya,
Colombo 8.

Weekends

Weekends means relaxation, and it is a time when families get together after working hard for five days. For those of us who are at school, weekends are of so much use because we can complete missed work, sleep a little more than usual and gain peace of mind after working hard at school. There are many ways that we can spend a weekend. Some of them are participating in sports, going out for dinners, visiting friends, reading novels, watching movies and playing games. Weekends provide opportunities for everyone no matter what their age or circumstances. We all love weekends!

Diluni Hansika,
Grade 9,
Louvre College,
Pannipitiya.

My brother

My brother in Nethula. He is younger to me. He is four months old. I love him very much. So I kiss him always. My mother lulls him to sleep. Then he stops crying.

Sethula Nethmira R. Wanigasekara,
Pre Grade D,
Louvre International School,
Pannipitiya.