How safe is nuclear energy?

Winner:

What is nuclear energy? Nuclear energy originates from the splitting of uranium atoms in a process called fission. At the power plant, the fission process is used to generate heat for producing steam, which is used by a turbine to generate electricity.Uranium is used as the fuel to produce nuclear energy. Uranium is a very powerful radio active material which is harmful to humans and the environment.There are many advantages and disadvantages of using nuclear energy.

We need energy to operate many things but one day the various sources of energy we use will run out. So, we need alternate sources of energy and we have to use nuclear power too.

Uranium is a solid fuel and like coal it is dug out of the ground.

Nuclear energy is produced from nuclear atoms However, as it can be dangerous its power has to be controlled in a very special reactor.

Some people believe that the world’s energy problems could be solved by building nuclear plants to generate electricity while others firmly oppose this. Nuclear fuels can release large amounts of energy.

One kilogram of uranium can release as much energy as 60 tonnes of coal it is said. However, the burning of coal does not result in the release of radiation. Nuclear fuels do. In fact,the radiation can last for thousands of years and damage body cells, cause cancer and even kill people and animals.

Nuclear power stations also produce nuclear waste. On the other hand nuclear power stations do not release polluting gases but coal power plants do.

Another danger of nuclear power plants is that in some reactors a certain amount of uranium is converted to plutonium which can be used to make nuclear weapons.

Scientists claim that the safety in nuclear stations are excellent .However, the tsunami that struck Japan in March ,2011 damaged the nuclear plants leading to radiation leaks. Many people were evacuated from their homes and crops too were affected.

We are generally exposed to small doses of radioactivity every day, but only about 0.7 per cent of it comes from nuclear waste. Small doses of it may not be harmful ,but when built over a long period of time it could become so.

Nuclear energy may be useful but as there are many dangers involved, I do not think it is safe to use nuclear fuel to generate electricity.

J. Randhula Gajadheera,
Willesden College International,
Battaramulla.

Internet - use it for your progress

Winner:

Today the world is a global village. Information, news and research data are at out doorsteps or we could say fingertips. We can have recourse to numerous world events within a matter of just few minutes because of the internet. It’s a technological marvel with a good and bad side.

However, all the resources at our disposal are for our growth and not for our destruction. We should learn to handle the available material with maturity, depth and vision.

Pornography too is freely available via the internet. Young minds could be corrupted by pornographic material that can be accessed via the internet. Those who frequently access unsuitable material on the internet gradually lose their spiritual values and intellect. Human nature is degraded and humanity loses its sense of values as a result.

Mass media is there not to destroy us, but to elevate us. We should use it daily for our growth. Much research can be done through this media to educate and develop ourselves. We should learn to use the internet to be educated and become refined people in every way.

Dhanisska Balachandren,
Grade 6A, Atamie International School,
Wattala.

My oldest living relative

My great grandmother who is 95 years old is my oldest living relation. She is my mother's grand- mother.She lives with us.

Even though she is very old her eyesight and hearing are very good. She is still very beautiful. She is fair in complexion with silver grey hair.

She can speak all three languages ; Sinhala, Tamil and English fluently.

She is a very quiet person. She likes to read books and newspapers. She relates many interesting stories to us. She also sings when she puts us to sleep. She has a beautiful voice. She can also play many musical instruments.

My mother and grandmother have learned many things from her. I have also learned a lot from her. She solves many of our family problems.

I like to look at her and admire her . I am very proud of my great grandmother . All my family members love and respect her a lot.

Rinoza Mussavir,
Grade 8 B,
Muslim Ladies’ College.

My school

I study at Buddhist Ladies’ College. There are about fifty teachers in the staff. Classes are conducted from Grades 1 to 13 in Sinhala and English medium.There are about 1000 students at present.Most of the students are very clever and do well at public examinations. They bring a lot of credit to the school.

My school was founded by Mohandas De Mel, an educationist and lawyer by profession. The school was launched on Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 7, on May 20, 1954. The first principal was Mrs Clara Motwani. She was a Christian by birth. The present principal is Mrs. D. L Padmasiri.

We are taught many subjects at school but we also play games because there is a nice playground. It is one of the popular schools in the area. I like to attend school everyday.

K. Dinethma Rajapaksha,
Grade 4 -S ,
Buddhist Ladies’ College,
Colombo 7

Let’ s protect our world heritage sites

Winner:

World heritage sites can be defined as places or structures of significance to the entire world due to their important features. We must therefore protect our world heritage sites the same way our ancestors did. The amazing world heritage sites of Sri Lanka can be divided into two sections;natural and man-made sites.

When talking about the natural sites, we have to focus on their location. There are many such places like the Sinharaja Rainforest, the Knuckles Mountain Range and Horton Plains.

The Sinharaja Rainforest which is endowed with high biodiversity is a tropical forest. Many unique and endemic plants and animals can be found here.

In 1989 UNESCO declared it as a World Heritage Site. Even though our ancestors did not know about it then, they protected it as an essential factor to our existence. The Knuckles Range and Horton Plains are also World Heritage Sites. There are some man made structures too that have been declared as World Heritage Sites and this shows that our ancestors had great talent and ability.

It proves that we come from a great civilization and our ancestors had great engineering skills .Even the present generation can draw inspiration from their ancient engineering feats.

We can not only admire these sites but also learn many things from them .When looking back at history we learn how our ancestors protected these sites from foreign powers even then. Today we too must protect these sites .It is our responsibility to do so and hand them over to the next generations.

Jeewaka Dissananyake,
Matale International School,
Matale.

Garbage - a major problem

Winner:

Garbage has become a major problem today in Sri Lanka. Everyone complains about the inefficiency of the Municipal Council especially as the garbage collectors do not come regularly to collect garbage.

Garbage needs to be disposed of properly and it is a hazard when it’s not collected on time.

However, if we think twice before we dump the garbage in the bins, there will not be much garbage collected at the end of a particular period.

First of all, we should classify what we throw daily.

For example, papers should be put into a different recycling bag, bottles in another and the kitchen refuse should be put into the compost bin or a separate bag if such a bin is not available. Compost is essential for plants.

If the plants are well-fed with home-made fertilizers, we do not have to use any chemical fertilizer for plants.

Today, wherever we go, we can see heaps of garbage on street corners and various other sites. Cows, cats, dogs, crows and houseflies hover around them, causing health problems.

To avoid this, at least we, the children should be careful not to litter the surroundings.

We must learn to classify the garbage and recycle whatever possible.

Then we can be proud of the fact that at least we have made a small contribution towards keeping the environment clean.

I think if all the members of the household pay attention to classifying the garbage before dumping everything into one bin, we can create a clean environment and a pleasant Sri Lanka!

Hashan Naduka Bandara,
Grade 6, Cambridge International School,
Matale.

How the drought affects us

We experienced drought during the last few months. It affected all living organisms. During the day the temperature was unbearably high, while the mornings were unbearably cold and sometimes covered with mist.

In some areas the water resources were drying up rapidly. Humans and animals were helpless. The green environment was fast dissapearing. The wind too was dry. Therefore, the humidity in the environment was destroyed. It greatly affected the water resources. People started digging new wells in areas where water became scarce.

Some paddy lands and crops were completely destroyed and the farmers were helpless without a source of income.

We will have to face many such problems in the future. Therefore, all of us have a responsibility to take measures to overcome the problems and challenges that come with the drought.

Hirusha Bandara Weerasuriya,
Grade 7D,
St. Anne’s College,
Kurunegala .