The only known planet with life!

Winner:

The Earth is a huge ball among countless such balls scattered in the sky. The diametre of the Earth is about 12,756 million km.

The Earth is a unique planet in the universe. According to investigations done so far, the planet Earth is found to be the only planet with life. Solar energy, water and air needed for life are found only on the Earth.

Earth has its glittering blue colour due to the water which covers most of it. Because of this the Earth is called the Blue Planet.

The Earth was formed millions of years ago. In the beginning, the Earth was very hot. There was no life on the Earth at that time . However, as time passed the Earth cooled down and became habitable.

We live on the outer, cool portion of the Earth which is called the crust. The seas, mountains, deserts and forests all lie on this crust.

The centre of the Earth is known as the core. It is made up of melted metals. The mantle is situated between the core and the crust and is made up of rock.

The location of the Earth in the solar system is conducive to the existence of life. The distance from the Sun to the Earth is about 149.6 million km.

The Earth rotates on its own axis. About 23 hours and 56 minutes are taken for one rotation. As a result day and night occur. About 365 days are taken by the Earth to complete revolution around the Sun. Seasons occur as a result of this revolution.

The Earth provides the essential spheres of life, that is the hydrosphere, lithosphere and atmosphere. These spheres form the surroundings known as the environment.

The Earth is the most beautiful planet. However, due to pollution of the environment, the balance of the Earth’s eco-system has been disrupted. People misuse its resources but as Mahatma Gandhi said, “Mother Earth has enough for everyone’s need, but not everyone’s greed”.

Industrialization, deforestation and over-automation are some ways by which the eco-system has been disturbed.

As human life in this world depends on the existence of the Earth, we all have to protect our beloved Mother Earth.

Yasashri Kasthuriarachchi,
Grade 9,
Mahamaya Girls’ College.

An evening by the sea

Winner:

In the evening by the sea the sky turned a wonderful sight. It was very colourful as if it was painted with different colours like red, orange and yellow. Birds twittered and flew away.

The whole day, the Sun rises for us. Because of that, the Sun gets very tired.

After a long period of time, the Sun goes down to take a rest. When the Sun goes down it appears as a big ball painted in red. At that time it seems as if the sky is trying to touch the sea in the horizon.

When the Sun goes down, the horizon changes into a bright red colour. The Sun’s bright coloured shadow falls on the sea waves. When the waves go up and down, we see it as if a golden sari is flowing towards the shore.

We can see many small ships and boats in rows like dots far away. In the evening, many families come and enjoy themselves on the beach. Children fly kites. They also make sand castles. When the waves go up and down, the foams of the sea waves are like soap bubbles. I felt like jumping into the water to grab some of it when I was there one evening. But I couldn’t catch any. I like to play with the waves, but I am, scared that the waves might carry me to the deep ocean. I drew a picture of the beautiful scenery I saw on that day. It’s so beautiful at evening by the sea.

P.K. Irushi Umanda,
Grade 6,
Leeds Internatinal,
Horana.

The day I lost my kite

My kite was very beautiful. So, one day I took the kite to the beach and with the help of my brother began to fly it .When the kite started to fly higher and higher we were very happy. My brother jumped up and down, laughing as I proudly watched it float high up in the sky.

There was a very strong wind and as it blew across the path of the kite, it broke the string of my kite. I was very sad and my eyes filled with tears. My brother cried loudly.The kite floated far away and we watched it until it became a dot and disappeared from our sight. After that we returned home, with heavy hearts.

N.D.Dilshan,
Grade 7, Rahula College, Matara.

An adorable woman

Winner:

YOUR POEMS

You are the one who gave birth to me,
You are the one who gave me milk,
You are the one who can make me smile,
Dear mother, you are a precious gift to me.

Sometimes I may have cried for dolls,
Sometimes I may have disturbed your work,
Moreover, I have made you shy,
But you never opposed my crazy stuff.

You have taught me what the truth is
You have taught me what my faults are
You have shown me who a girl is
My adorable mother, you are mine, forever.

When you are not at home,
I feel alone,

When you are not with me,
I feel a great loss,
When you get angry,
I too feel the same,
It is because
I want to see a smiling face.

You spend your busy time,
Helping me in my work,
You spend your leisure time,
Hiding all your sorrows,
You never utter a word,
Though you miss all your work!

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

Animals facing extinction

Winner:

Animals are an important part of the Earth. We cannot live without animals because there will be no ecological balance then.

Today there are many animals threatened with extinction and one species of the animal on the verge of extinction is the elephant. Elephants are hunted down by poachers mostly for their long ivory tusks.

Pandas are another species of animal that are becoming extinct due to the destruction of bamboo forests in China for construction purposes.Bamboo shoots are the favourite food of panadas. Polar bears too are highly threatened with extinction due to global warming and also because they are hunted for their fur.

Then there are turtles that are hunted for their shells. People use these shells to make various ornaments.

Whales are hunted for their meat and fat which is very valuable and rhinos are killed for their horns.There are many animals such as the dodo ,mammoth and dinosaur that have already become extinct . We should put a stop to the hunting of animals .

Arshad Ahmad,
Hejazz International School,
Mt. Lavinia.

Water, our life blood

Winner:

It may be a tiny dew drop, an ice cube, a brook, a puddle, a stream, a river, a waterfall or an enormous ocean. Whatever the form,water is fascinating.

Our tiny island is blessed with water. In Sri Lanka we get rain and we enjoy an abundance of lush green vegetation. Sometimes we have dry seasons when there is no rain for a long period. We experience the harshness of drought and also tend to understand the value of water during this time.

Ancient rulers of Sri Lanka had thoroughly understood the value of this precious substance. They were sensible enough to build so many huge tanks to conserve water.

Being an agricultural country we had a fine system of water management. Once King Parakramabahu the Great said, “Not a single drop of rain should reach the sea without man making some use of it.”

Water is really a wealth to be preserved. It should not go waste. It is disturbing to see that some people have not realised the value of this natural resource.So, let’s give this a serious thought and safeguard water for our survival and for the generations to come.

Anika Mohamed,
Grade 4,
Hejaaz International School,
Mt. Lavinia.

My ambition in life...

My ambition is to become a teacher . I like to be a teacher mostly because my mother is a teacher. I have to study several subjects such as Sinhala ,Mathematics, English,Religion and Science to fulfil my ambition.

I am determined to realise this dream of mine to become a good teacher one day. I aim to study hard and pass the Ordinary Level Examination as well as the Advanced Level Examination with good marks to enter university.I will also do a diploma and teach English and Sinhala .

When I become a teacher I could teach in a reputed school in the country and help many school children by not only teaching them lessons from textbooks but also giving them good advice to improve their lives.

W.K.Nirmalie Melonica Fernando,
Grade 10 Olu,
St. Josephs’ Balika Vidyalaya, Kegalle.