Winner

The wild elephants in Sri Lanka

Elephants are an integral part of Sri Lanka’s environment. Most of the tourists visit Sri Lanka to watch elephants. They are interested in watching the Kandy Esala Perahera because of the elephants.

Wild elephants live in the jungles. Human-elephant tragedies have become a major problem in the island. Due to the human-elephant conflict the number of elephants has begun to decrease.

Sometimes people kill elephants for fun. Others kill elephants for their tusks, jaws and skin. People in rural areas complain that elephants destroy their crops and houses.

Elephants go to villages because they do not have enough food to eat. In some areas elephants eat garbage due to lack of food.

The authorities should take steps to protect elephants. They must punish those who disturb the lifestyle of elephants. More elephant orphanages must be opened in the future. They can use different methods to protect the elephants in the jungles.

Suhani Wijetilake, Musaeus College, Colombo 7.
 

Winner

My favourite hobby

I have many hobbies and my favourite hobby is tennis. I like tennis because it is a very famous sport which is fun giving.

I am in the school tennis club and I can play well. I have won many tournaments and obtained certificates in tennis.I have many friends who play tennis in school.There are famous tennis players in the world.

I love playing tennis very much and I enjoy it.

Janushayan Ganeshamoorthy, Class 5A, British School in Colombo.







 

Winner

The class teacher I admire most

My first class teacher was Anusha Bogahapitiya who taught me in Grade 1 at Girls’ High School, Kandy. I was admitted to this school in 2009. I was in Grade 1-D. Anusha Bogahapitiya was my class teacher in Grade 1 and 2. She never forgot to call me “Charika Duwa” as my name is Charika Nilakshi Samarakoon.

I can still remember the poem she taught me, “Hitagena Hitiyata wela madde.” When I was in Grade 3 and 4, my class teacher was Nilanthi Manike. Now I am in Grade 5 and my class teacher is Mrs. Kanthi Gamage. All these class teachers who taught me are very clever at teaching.

I love all my class teachers very much.

S.M. Charika Nilakshi Samarakoon, Grade 5, Girls’ High School, Kandy.



 

Winner

My Brother

My brother's name is Nethmina. I call him Aiya. He is 12 years old. He is studying at Alethea School, Dehiwala and he is in Grade 7. I go to school with my brother. I play with my brother in the evening. His favourite animal is the wild cat.

He loves to eat green apples. My brother's favourite colour is red.

I love my brother very much.

W. Rithmina Fernando, Grade 2 LEB, Alethea School, Dehiwala.











 

Winner

Reading, a good exercise for the mind

“Reading maketh a full man.”

Reading is a very important activity for our lives. It fulfils and enlightens our lives.

It is essential for the development of one's life.

Reading can be called an important hobby, as well as a good exercise for our tired and confused minds.

It takes us to countries that we have never visited.

The Government has provided so many facilities to promote the reading habit among schoolchildren. Children must not be glued to television all the time.

Reading is an important factor for our future expectations and desires. It gives great relief to our stressful minds.

It takes us to a magical world filled with adventure, humour, sadness and many other emotions. Reading is a sure path of success.

K.M.T. Maheli Kulatunga, Grade 9-A, Holy Family Balika Vidyalaya, Kurunegala.
 

Winner

The horizon

It’s murmuring, it’s murmuring
Wind is roaming fast,
So charming, but gloomy
You are so high,
No beginning, no ending
Blue sky up...
It’s flowing, it is flowing
Waves breaking fast,

It is glittering, but weeping
It’s me who is sighing,
No beginning, no ending
Blue sea on earth...
World would see
They get glee,
As we get close,
But it is not our meeting
We have a big space,
You and I will never meet
It’s only a dream...

Namya Tharindi, Grade 12, MR/Sujatha Balika Vidyalaya, Matara.
 

Winner

Life without love

In a far corner of a distant tavern,
Sits a girl dressed in shabby clothes;
Covered with weariness from head to toe,
She spends the days with her meagre loaf.
People passing by her,
Don't even bother to look,
Seems that her pathetic face is not to be cared for
Rude glances or harsh words spoken,
Brings about a good deal of hidden tears which had never been shed before.
Amidst all the cold unfelt hearts,
She yearns for a heart;
A heart that she always wanted,
To give her the love and care that she always needed.
She sits in a far corner of a dusty road,
Gazing at a night filled with bright stars.
Hoping that one day, she will be
part of a lucky family;
Just like the other rich children
of her age.
She passes the gloomy days,
Days just like the one before,
Passing without any say or joy;
She waits for a lucky day with much inspiration and eagerness.
The unlucky girl whose whole life was spent on a road,
Imagine that there is life beyond that;
A life which she will never trace sight of,
Being completely unaware of a person
who cares for her.
Sitting in a far corner of a distant tavern,
The poor beggar girl spends
the miserable days,
With shallowness and gloom;
With lasting hope of a life
that she always wanted.

Lethonkie Fernando, Grade 10-C, St. Lawrence's Convent, Colombo 6.