Protect children's rights

Winner:

A child is a human being below the age of eighteen years. A child is considered as a person, not a sub person. Therefore, children too have rights, including the right to associate other people in society as well as the right to basic needs such as food, education and health. Another important right of a child is that he should be physically, mentally and emotionally free of abuse.

According to the law, children do not have the authority to make decisions on their own for themselves. Instead their parents or guardians are given that authority. Although some believe that this state gives children insufficient control over their lives, it is my view that it is a wise decision to get the help of our elders, to pave the way to success, especially at times when we don't know which way to go.

Children also have the right to an adequate standard of living, good education, healthcare, a balanced diet and also access to schooling.

Another right of a child is protection from abuse, neglect exploitation and discrimination. This includes the safety and the position that the child should take in society.

Children have the right to participate in communities and have programmes for themselves too.

Freedom of speech, freedom of thought, the right to a life without fear, right to make decisions and ownership over one's body are five major rights of children which help them to grow up healthy and free. But today, we hear and see many issues that affect children's rights. The sale of children is one of the most criminal issues. Child labour, child soldiers, bullying, homelessness, and abuse of children are some of the issues that affect children's rights.

In today's society, most of the children who are subject to harassment are physically and mentally abused. So, they do not get an opportunity to grow up and become useful citizens. Most of these things happen due to the lack of education and also problems in society. The economic crisis too can be a reason for these things.

As these crimes against children are increasing day by day, it is our duty and responsibility to get ourselves educated so that we can put a stop to all these in the future. We, as the people who will be taking over the world tomorrow, should strive to get the maximum use of the talents that each and everyone of us have been born with, and make this world a better place for everybody in the future. We can do so by putting a stop to child abuse and by protecting children's rights

Dilinie Seimon, Grade 10D, St. Lawrence's School, Colombo 6.

Your poems

Winner:

Youth, a state of mind

Youth is a state of mind, sharp as a knife,
Rather than a time of life,
It's not a matter of rosy cheeks,
Redlips and supple knees,
But a strong will when one speaks,
A matter of hope, courage, strength, joy and peace.

Nobody grows old merely by the years,
But by deserting your ideals through worries,
Self-distrust and fears,
Years may wrinkle your skin on the whole,
But to give up enthusiasm wrinkles your soul.

When your spirit is covered with the snows of pessimism,
Then you're old even at eighteen,
But as long as you catch the waves of optimism,
You may die still young, even at eighty.

F. Zhulfaa Zhulficar, Grade 10, Thihariya Islamic, International School.

Tribute to Loku Ammi - Soma Kumari

Luck she had, but now it's all gone.
Oh! please don't go away,
Kindness she always had with her,
Up and down she comes looking for some fun.

Always cheers us up,
Mum and family were sad that she's gone,
Mmm....she love mangoes which is her favourite fruit,
Inside her heart she shows friendliness,
Kindness and happiness to all of us.

Radhika Kumarasiri, Year 2, Thomas Michell Primary School, Australia.

My first journey by train

Winner:

My mother who visits my aunty at Kurunegala, once a month, decided to take me also to visit her by train once. As I had never travelled by train it was a wonderful experience for me.

We got into the train from the Colombo Fort Railway station. The compartment was full of passengers. As soon as we got in, the train started to move. With great difficulty I watched the passing scenery from the window as there were lots of passengers. I saw people, trees as well as houses moving at great speed. I watched eagerly how the train was moving speedily along the tracks.

The train stopped at Polgahawela for ten minutes. As most passengers went out of the compartment, I settled myself in a seat near a window. When the train resumed its journey, wade and king-coconut vendors went from compartment to compartment, selling their ware.

As the journey progressed I admired the scenic beauty of estates and mountains.It was almost dark when we reached Kurunegala, but I was excited about my first journey by train.

Erandi Hansika Wanigarathne,

Grade 8E,Southlands College,Galle.

Value of religion

Winner:

When we are born we all receive a great gift from our parents. There is no difference between a little prince who is the one to inherit the throne or a little baby who has only beggars as parents and will also be a beggar or street child.

Anyone can have this great gift which no one can steal, because it is in our hearts. If someone can live his whole life as a good citizen, that person can have this gift his entire life. It is none other than religion.There are four main religions today. They are Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. We can see the different ways people practise their religions. It changes from country to country and person to person.However, every religion teaches us to be good in society, cultivating good habits.

If ever there was a society that was filled with high morals and good citizens who live only according to their religion, it will stand out, especially among other societies, like the moon on a cloudless sky. During childhood everyone has to go to their respective religious learning centres which are known as Damma Schools, or Sunday Schools.

We have to live according to our religion without doing any wrong deeds. It is only then that we can live happy and free lives without any problems. For example, the Buddha has said "If someone lives by the religion or protects it, the religion also protects him". For the numerous problems now on our Earth, the answer is religion: everyone must live by their religion. Then the responsibility of creating a good society will be easy to fulfil. It'll happen before our eyes.

So, as educated children that can understand the value of religion let us live by the teachings of our respective religions and make a peaceful world. As the future generation, let us take up this responsibility.

D.P. Suvimali Jayasinghe,

Grade 8 'Olu',

Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya,

Colombo 7.

I am a famous rabbit

I am a rabbit with a pair of long, bent ears and a bushy tail. I am grey and white in colour. I am a very famous rabbit known as Buggs Bunny.

I know that I am the most talented rabbit in the world! I can spot things quickly with my bright pair of eyes. My fur is smooth as silk and I am very proud of it.I like to eat carrots like all the other rabbits.

I live in a burrow with lots of carrots. I sometimes annoy others. But I am happy to be a famous rabbit because I am loved by everybody all around the world.

Volleyball - our national game

Winner:

When we hear the word volleyball, we will remember that it is our national game.

This game received its name because it is played by volleying a ball over a net. It originated in 1895 and the founder of this game was an American named William G. Morgan. He was prompted to create this game by watching basketball which was popular among the youth. The game was originally named as Mintonet, but Professor A.P. Hulstord who watched this game at Springfield College in America named it volleyball, seeing the nature of this game.

In 1900 a scoring scheme was introduced, changing places of players was introduced in 1912, the middle line in 1921 and the rule to volley the ball three times was introduced in 1922. With the popularity and development of the game it drew the attention of other countries. As a result it was welcomed by India in 1900, China in 1906 and Sri Lanka in 1916.

In Sri Lanka, Colombo became the centre because various clubs took to the game. The Colombo Training College and certain schools in Colombo started playing the game. The Ministry of Education has instructed all schools in the country to introduce volleyball as an extra curricular activity. Competitions are held under three age limits: under 15, under 17, and under 19. Boys and girls both play the game.

Volleyball can be played in fields or courts as an outdoor game.The Sports Ministry and the Youth Council is promoting the game along with the Sri Lankan Volleyball Federation, which was started in 1951.In 1991 volleyball was declared our national game.

F. Zainab Jaufer,

8B (English Medium),

Muslim Ladies' College,Colombo 4.