Peace, for life!

Winner:

Peace... we all talk about peace, but who is really ready to sacrifice for peace? It is a shame to see people, especially women, children, and old people suffering as a result of wars and crying from the pain and horror wars have brought about. The question is, what can be done to have peace, so that such suffering is a thing of the past?

If we choose to respond to wars by more wars, if we focus only on the need to get back and to get even or inflict justice on the ones who have done us wrong, what do we get? Do we get peace or do we feed the fire in the cycle of war and cause more suffering, hatred and pain?

We can make a strong contribution towards peace if we step back and look at the bigger picture; what peace can mean to each and every one of us and what it can offer everyone and the world.We can be inspired and can also inspire others on why peace is so important and urgent if we share our thoughts.

Peace is important because we need a better world for the future generations. Peace is important because we can enjoy the benefits of the latest technological and scientific advancement only in times of peace.

The world actually becomes a better place to live in when there is peace. It forms the base of every education and value system. Peace helps everyone live in harmony. A country without peace cannot function smoothly.The past is behind us and the future has just begun; this means we should do everything with peace in mind.

Let’s help everyone, forgetting all differences, to rebuild our beloved nation and protect our next generation. Then they can be useful citizen that everyone could be proud of.

Shahama Saneer,

Naleem Hajiar Ladies College,

Beruwala.

What are tsunamis?

Winner:

A tsunami, the Japanese word meaning “harbour waves” which is used as the scientific term for a seismic sea wave, is a large ocean wave which is generated by an under sea earthquake. A tsunami is thought to be triggered when the ocean floor is tilted or offset during the quake, creating a set of waves similar to the concentric waves generated by landslides or volcanic eruptions. Most tsunamis originate along the Ring of Fire, a zone of volcanoes and seismic activity which is 32500km (24000 miles) long, and encircles the Pacific Ocean. Since 1819, for example, about 40 tsunamis have struck the Hawaiian Islands.

The Asian tsunami that struck our motherland and many other countries in the region in 2004 is still remembered with horror by many who suffered from it.

A tsunami may travel hundreds of kilometres across the deep ocean reaching speeds of about 725 to 800 km (450 to 500 mph). On entering shallow coastal waters, the wave, which may have been only about half a metre (a foot or two) high out at sea. It may suddenly become a towering wall of water about 15m (50 feet) high or more when it reaches the shore. It is capable of destroying the entire coastal settlements. This is what happened to many countries during the 2004 tsunami. It killed millions of innocent people and destroyed property.

Tsunamis have erroneously been called tidal waves, but they have nothing to do with the diurnal pattern of high and low tides. Such waves, however can also be destructive sometimes.

Let’s remember all those who died from the tsunami and are still traumatised by it, this season too.

Mifras Cader,

Grade 10 D, Giri/Kekunagolla National School.

A misty morning

Winner:

One morning, before the sun rose
I got up in a lazy mood.
And I looked out
I saw white everywhere.

Suddenly my lazy mood vanished
And my mind was filled with pleasure,
As I saw that splendid scene
I was so amazed and attracted

I thought of going through the mist
I couldn’t see anything as the white
Had spread everywhere
Like a cloud in the sky!

When I got back home
To tell the others about the splendour
And as I went there to see again
The sun had risen and scene was no more!

Lahiru Thilakaratne,
Grade 8,Sussex College,Kurunegala.

Time is precious

Winner:

No machine or no miracle can get back the time that has passed by. Time is very valuable and important. It is not to be wasted. As humans we have so many things to do in our daily lives, but what everybody generally says is, “we don’t have time”. So, we must first learn how to manage time and save time. We must learn how to use our time meaningfully, so that we can complete most of the work we need to do daily.

Everyone including children, youth, adults and the elderly should learn to use their time in a proper manner, otherwise they will not be able to do anything successfully. Children, especially should use their precious time carefully, if they want to study well. Wasting time is not good for anybody.

We measure time in different units such as seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years. The standard unit for time is the second.

If we do our work on time we will be successful people ultimately. We will have a bright future.

The New Year is a good time to make a resolution not to waste time.

Shashitha Nimsara,

Grade 5,

Sripalee College, Horana.

On a trip to Jaffna

Recently, I went on a trip to Jaffna with my family members. It was a three day trip which was organised by the Parliament library, my father’s workplace.

It was really a nice trip as we were able to gain a lot of knowledge about the Northern part of our country. At 2 o’ clock in the morning we gathered at Ethul Kotte junction and started our trip with the blessings of God.

I was so glad to meet my friends after a long time. This journey was different from our other trips, because we had to travel for a long time. At about eight in the morning we reached Anuradhapura and had our breakfast. Then we started our journey again and on the way we met a relative who is an army soldier. He helped us to find a place to have a bath and also provided our lunch. We bathed in the Iranamadu tank which was a very wonderful experience. We listened to the dreadful experiences my relative had faced at the war front.

When we toured Jaffna, we understood how dreadful and dangerous the war had been. We saw the extensive environmental damage caused by the cruel war. Most houses in Jaffna had been damaged because of the war and we saw some people living in small huts today. We must appreciate the brave soldiers’ noble service towards those poor people. They try their best to help the poor, innocent and helpless people in the area

At about seven in the evening, we reached the guest house where we had dinner. We tasted some special food prepared according to the Tamil culture. It was a new experience for us. Nagadeepaya, Dambakola Patuna, Nallur Kovil and the Library in Jaffna are some of the places we visited in Jaffna. We travelled by boat to reach Nagadeepaya and the beach around it was so beautiful. The most wonderful and amazing place we visited on this trip was the beach named “Casurina”. It was a marvellous experience for us. We enjoyed a lot by bathing in the sea. We could walk through the calm, blue and shallow sea water for a long distance.

After two days, we returned home with a little sadness in our hearts. We had great fun on the way singing songs and playing some fun games. I really enjoyed this trip.

Maduka K .Rathnayaka,

Devi Balika Vidyalaya.

Happy holidays

Winner:

We’ve been studying,

A whole long term,

Now that our tests have finished,

Let’s start to have great fun.

It’s the holidays again,

The best time to have fun,

Let’s play, sing and dance,

Our enjoyable days have begun.

Watching television, reading books,

Or playing computer games,

Have loads of fun,

Happy holidays everyone!

Minuri Ruwanka Undugodage,

Grade 8K, Musaeus College, Colombo 7.

I am a cub scout

I am a cub scout at D.S. Senanayake College. My troop is called the 60th Colombo. Now I am following the Gold Star.

As a cub scout I learnt lots of things which will help me in my personal life and also my education.

My Akela is Mrs. Samarakoon. She is very helpful to us. My ambition is to get the President’s Badge.

Senith Bhagya Jayamaha,

Grade 5,

D.S. Senanayake Vidyalaya,

Colombo 7.