A doll’s story

Winner:

I was born in a toy factory in Singapore and was imported to America. Then I was put into a huge box with a lot of other toys and shipped to America. After two months I reached America, but I felt sad when my friends were taken away. Some of the dolls, including me were taken to a toy shop.

I was placed on display in the front of the shop because I was very beautiful. I was dressed in a beautiful pink frock and had curling eyelashes, blue eyes, dark red lips and long silky hair. I could even talk when a button was pressed. But as I was very expensive, no one wanted to buy me. One by one, my friends departed as they were sold.

One day a little girl called Susan came into the shop as it was her birthday. She liked me and pleaded with her mother to buy me. After much persuasion, she decided to buy me and I was taken to her house. She played with me everyday. Everyone in the house admired me. Then an incident which I’will never forget took place. One day the little girl forgot to put me inside her toy box and she left me on the floor. And her naughty little brother who spotted me started playing with me.

He pulled at my neck, which came off in a second. Just then, Susan came into the room and saw me in pieces. She started crying and everyone in the house came running to console her.

Her mother promised Susan that she would buy her a new doll and I was thrown into the dustbin. Alas! That was the end of my life. Now I live in the garbage dump. I’m lonely and sad. I am to be burnt and destroyed completely.

Fathima Shahani,

Grade 7,

Ilma International Girls’ School.
 

A tribute to our valiant soldiers

Winner:

May 18 this year was a memorable day for our country because it was the day our Motherland was liberated from terrorism. The war against terrorists lasted for more than thirty years and during this time, thousands of innocent people including children and religious dignitaries were killed by terrorists. There were bomb explosions in Colombo, Kandy, Anuradhapura, Dambulla, Kebithigollewa and many other places during their reign of terror.

When Mahinda Rajapaksa became the President of this country, he wanted to put an end to this destruction caused by terrorism. The LTTE Tigers closed the Mawilaru Dam which put the farmers in great difficulty. This triggered hostilities. The President then gave orders to the Forces to eliminate terrorism. And the chiefs of the Armed Forces, planned attacks and gave orders to proceed, to their forces personnel. So, our brave and valiant soldiers marched forward risking their own lives. Thousands lost their lives, and a lot more lost their limbs and eyesight. Isn’t it our paramount duty to remember these unfortunate heroes who sacrificed their tomorrow, for our today?

The years to come are the most important to us all. We must work towards the prosperity of our Motherland. I hope our President will take immediate steps to make our country better than any other country in the world.

Ishan Madushanka,

Grade 9,

Ceylinco Sussex College,Kurunegala.

Your poems

Mother, you are my life!

Winner:

When I laugh, my joy is you,
When I cry, my tear is you,
When I sleep, my dream is you,
When I think, my hope is you,
When I breathe, my sigh is you,
When I walk, my step is you,
That’s why I say, “you are my life”.

My dear mother
I love you, all my life
You gave me a life
You gave me wings,
To fly all over the world.
Your only wish is, me
My only wish is, you.

W. Maduka Lakmini Gunathilaka,

Grade 10.D,

R/EMB/Kularathna Central College,

Godakawela.

Friendship

Friendship is shared, heart to heart
Which is even miles apart
And it never departs
It is a bright light
If we think it’s right
It lasts very long
Where the bond is very strong
Friendship is very high
Which will never die
Friendship will never bend
Where the feelings will never end.

S. Rizvi,

Grade 8 B,

Amal International School.

Road rules and safety

Winner:

Road safety includes protecting people, vehicles and all property on roads that are connected to safety such as traffic lights. To achieve this we must learn the road rules first and then obey them. Nowadays, we hear of and see so many accidents taking place all over the country through the print and electronic media. This happens because people ignore the road rules. Both pedestrians and motorists are to be blamed for the increase in accidents. So, we should try to educate the public about road rules and safety. For this we can get the help of the teachers and the traffic police and conduct demonstrations regularly.

People who drive after consuming alcohol and motorists who drive fast and carelessly should be punished severely. Pedestrians should always use the zebra crossing and the pavements when going about on these busy roads. Children should not be allowed to play on the roads. Pedestrians must also avoid walking in groups or abreast on roads.

Traffic rules should be strictly followed and everyone who does not follow them, should be strictly dealt with by the law. It is only then that others will start following road rules and be assured of safety on the roads.

Shamooda Nazreen Zameer,

Grade 7,

Ceylinco Sussex College,

Gampaha.

The garden city

Winner:

Nuwara Eliya is a very beautiful city in Sri Lanka situated in the hill country. It is very famous and many tourists, both local and foreign, visit the place.

Nuwara Eliya has a cold climate most of the time. But during April when there is warm weather, many interesting activities are organised; the city becomes a hive of activity and a very interesting place to be in. Many special programmes are held in Nuwara Eliya during the season, when flowers are in full bloom and the entire area is a riot of colour.

Nuwara Eliya district has many popular places such as the Ambewela Milk farm, the Haggala Gardens and Bambarakanda waterfall which is the highest waterfall in the country. There are also many tea estates with colourfully dressed women plucking tea leaves. The landscape in Nuwara Eliya is beautiful. Many rare flowers are grown in the Haggala Gardens and even in other places. Vegetables and fruits too grow well in Nuwara Eliya because of the climate.World's End in Hortan Plains is close to Nuwara Eliya. Hortan Plains is a protected area.Nuwara Eliya has a beautiful environment and we must protect it and keep the place clean always.

N. Indrajith Abesekera,

Grade 6D,R/Rahula National College,Godakawela.