The Colombo Harbour

Winner:

Recently I visited the Colombo Harbour. I went there with my father. An uncle of mine works in the harbour. There were many foreign ships.

The workers were very busy loading and unloading goods.

We saw them working like bees.Colombo is one of our main harbours. Ships sailing to many other countries come to this harbour to obtain fuel. There is a large container yard. Ships from many countries are berthed in the yard.

There are huge cranes with the latest technology to do this work quickly.The Colombo Harbour is one of the busiest harbours in Asia. The workers here work around the clock and they are provided with meals and many other facilities.

The harbour is the heart of our country as it communicates with the entire world.

Hansani Muthumali,
Grade 7F,
Holy Cross College.

Obey road rules, always

Winner:

As schoolchildren we must have a thorough knowledge of road rules. The number of accidents on our roads is increasing day by day. Unfortunately, many of the victims are schoolchildren.We should learn the road rules and observe them well. We should walk on the right side of the road. Not more than two should walk abreast. We should always cross the road only at a pedestrian crossing. Before doing so, we should stop, look to the right then left and right again to ensure there is no oncoming traffic. We should not play on the road.

When we travel by bus we should not stand on the footboard.

It is very dangerous. Even in trains many people stand at the entrance and peep out.We should always keep our bicycles in good condition.

We should constantly check the condition of the brakes.

As some drive their vehicles exceeding the speed limits we should always be careful on the road.If we observe road rules, we can minimise the number of road accidents and save many lives.

G. B. Apeksha Rathnamali,
Grade 7A,
G/Sri Devananda College,
Ambalangoda.

Music everywhere!

Sometimes soft like a feather or,
Beautiful like a peacock
Wherever you go,
You seem to hear it
It even might be
The sound of crickets
Sometimes it’s loud
Like a volcanic eruptions or,
Terrifying like a thunder bolt
It doesn’t matter
Where it comes from,
Maybe even from inside your head
Sometimes with a voice or,
Sometimes its just a melody
Hear the bees buzz?
Hear the birds chirp?
Hear that beautiful melody Coming from Heaven?
Inside your head,
Harmony and a melody
All these things are called music,
Nature can make it,
People can listen to it,
They can sing to it,
Just to make sure you enjoy it!

Devmi Piyadigama,
Cambridge International School,
Doha, Qatar.

Start of day

Winner:

Fragrance of the smiling blossoms,
Gentle breeze of the enormous woods,
Rhythmless songs of little birds
Awaken the sleeping minds

Lines of pupils make their way to school,
Numerous vehicles start their non-stop journeys,
Many tiny ants seek out their suppers;
Morning is the nicest painting done by an unnamed painter

Busy people start their usual routines,
Lazy ones dream of future plans,
Second by second the morning will pass;
But you’ll never regret if you work fast!

Little beams of light passed by the sun,
People work with a mind full of fun,
Morning is a fabulous gift for all living beings;
Which nourishes the feelings of human beings!

Umanda Hansamali,
Grade 9E,
Pushpadana Girls’ College, Kandy.

Magical vitamins and minerals

Winner:

Carbohydrates,proteins and fats
Inorganic salts and water are essential
Ingredients of our food
Vitamins and minerals are very essential
Lack of deficiency of vitamins
Leads to disorders and diseases
Weak digestive power
Impaired eyesight
General weakness and tiredness
Dryness of skin and inflammation
Weakening of bones
Beri-beri and rickets
All caused by lack of vitamins
A,B,C,D, E and K
They are the vitamins I know
Iron's needed for blood,pigment
and haemoglobin
Calcium for teeth and bones
Phosphorus which is in our food
Helps the growth of healthy teeth and bone
If we take a balanced diet
Vegetables,fruits,eggs,milk and fish
Beans and wheat,rice and meat not
forgetting peas
You can lead a healthy life!

J.Randhula Gajadheera,
Wilsden College International,
Battaramulla

The power of the word “sorry”

Winner:

How many of us say “sorry” as often as we should, acknowledging our mistakes and humbling ourselves to admit we could be wrong?

In the teens, particularly, it is hardest to admit this fact. We always justify our actions, or put the blame on someone else.

Just try saying this wonderful word and really mean it.

It works wonders required for the growth of our habits.

When someone is really angry with you, be it your parents, friends, teachers or anyone else and that person’s temper has reached boiling point, be calm. If you are being pulled up for some mistake you may have done knowingly or unknowingly, do not argue. First let that person have his say, then just say the word sorry. You’ll see the magic formula begin to work, almost immediately.

Admitting a mistake does not lower anyone, or take away an ounce of your pride. It eases out situations that are fiery if we can control ourselves when someone else is in a rage. Then you have already conquered ill temper.

So, go ahead and say “sorry” you’ll hardly need to use the word for you will have mastered the art of calming a temper down.

Arul Anthony Shalona,
Grade 9,
Oxford International School.

Bhutan - the Land of the Dragon

Bhutan is called the Land of the Dragon. It is a small land-locked country in South Asia.Nestling in the Himalayas it is boarded by India on the South,East and West and the Republic of China on the North. So, Bhutan has two powerful neihbouring countries. The country experiences different climates with a tropical climate in the southern parts and winter in the parts near the Himalayas.

Bhutan is an agricultural country and is rich in natural resources. It has breathtaking scenery which attracts many tourists.

The main religion is Buddhism.The country still maintains its traditional lifestyle and make great efforts to protect their national identity.The national dress for men is called the gha and for women it is the kiro. I like to visit this beautiful country one day.

Gnei Shazeena Samat,
Amana International
School,Kolonnawa