It is a time for giving...

Winner:

Christmas .. what comes to our minds when we hear this word? Gifts, delicious food and new clothes? In fact, this is all that comes to the mind of many modern day people because they are only seeing the festive side of the event. They simply forget the most important aspect;that Christmas is the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Many forget about Jesus and think only about enjoying themselves during the season. Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace was born in a humble abode thousands of years ago to set us free from our sins and bring peace and goodwill to all.

There is a deep spiritual message surrounding His birth, so how should we celebrate Christmas?Do people think of the spiritual message and help the poor, the hungry and the needy at Christmas? No.

Even though most people have wealth and can afford to help others they do not think of the less fortunate . Today Christmas has been highly commercialised with Santa Claus ,Christmas trees and gift giving. If you switch on the television you will see Santa carrying electrical items and various goods as gifts.

It is all about monetary things. Christmas trees and all the beautiful decorations are good provided people do not forget Jesus .Is Jesus in our hearts as we celebrate His birthday?Let's enjoy ourselves ,but let 's not forget the true meaning of Christmas.Let's share our blessings with the less fortunate too .

Ayesha Hiruni Tabitha,

Grade 8,

Bishop's College,

Colombo .

Tsunami - the great disaster

Winner:

The word tsunami was first introduced to the world by Japan. It was a natural disaster which caused so much of death and destruction in countries around the Indian Ocean when it occurred in Sumatra on December 26, 2004. The earthquake which took place in the sea in Sumatra was the main reason for this great disaster. All the other countries close to Sumatra were also affected and more than a million people died.

It was mostly the coastal areas that were heavily damaged in Sri Lanka. It was totally an unexpected disaster which struck on Boxing Day. Several houses, buildings and even the railway lines were heavily damaged. It was a very sad day for all the people in the world. Many parents and children were separated from each other because of the tsunami. Sailors as well as fishermen didn't return home. Several people went missing and everyone was in a panic. After the disaster people from all over Sri Lanka and abroad started helping those who were affected by the disaster, giving them clothes, mattresses, food etc.

I thought that there would be a food crisis, but people from around the world helped by giving financial and food aid.After a few days, the Government made arrangements to provide temporary shelter and rebuild houses for the victims. Even today many of those people are suffering mentally, thinking about their losses. However, scientists are paying more attention to the prevention of these types of disasters. So, let's join together to help such victims, always.

Mohammed Hazeeb,

Grade 9,

Al - Manar International School,

Dematagoda.

Let's make this world a better place

Winner:

Where there is peace, unity, independence, caring and sharing it is always a good place to live in.

Living in peace and harmony with each other is something we must learn from our homes or our families. We must live in harmony not only with our parents but also our brothers, sisters, and grandparents. We should all live together by following good virtues, loving each other, showing kindness and helping each other.A child should be taught to respect elders. Parents should also teach them spiritual values by example. The family should be bound together with good principles and values.

When we are at school, we should carry these spiritual values we have learned at home to the school. We must try to develop them inside the school and the classroom. We must maintain unity, share our work and also whatever we have and be helpful to each other as much as possible. We must try our best to work according to the 'Five S' and be a model to others. We must care for our friends during difficulties. Then our schools will also be a better place to be in.

When we grow older we have to learn to live with the community. There we may meet many people with different ideas and qualities, but we must not forget the values that we have learnt from our family and the school. We must use these qualities inside the community. We must live and work together as members of one big family.

If we behave like this, the world would certainly be a better place to live in, forever.

M. Prabhasara Kanchani Leelarathne,

WP/Taxila Central College,

Horana.

Celebrating the New Year

Winner:

Even in Sri Lanka the New Year which dawns on January 1 is celebrated. This is an international event. All the people, Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and Burghers celebrate this day because it is the first day of the year.

Most people cook milk rice and special food and enjoy themselves. Many items in the shops are sold at special sale prices. All the streets and shops are crowded and very busy when it's close to New Year's Day. Friends relatives and neighbours exchange cards and gifts. At midnight on December 31 people light fire crackers to welcome the New Year. It is celebrated not only in Sri Lanka, but also in other countries; sing songs, dances, plays and special parties are organised to usher in the New Year.

Children get back to school after a long holiday in the New Year with new books and new uniforms.

It is a very happy day for most of us. We wish our new class teachers and other teachers for the new year and sometimes meet new students too. We start a new syllabus in the New Year as we have been promoted to new classes.

F. Nishra Nasar,

Sacred Heart Convent,

Galle.

The wonder of the universe

Winner:

The universe is the space around the Earth. In the universe there are many planets. Some of them are Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Pluto was once a planet, but now it's not. We can live only in our planet Earth because there is fresh air - oxygen and water. We get light from the Sun. It is a big star. But there are stars bigger than the Sun. They are called Super Giants. There are many stars in the universe.

Our scientists are searching for life in other planets. But they haven't yet found any such evidence.This universe is bigger than we can even imagine and very wonderful too.

W.K. Milan Swanthra,

Grade 4-B,

Rahula College, Matara.