Winner:

Let’s save trees

The prosperity of a country depends on its rich vegetation. Regular rainfall and the sunlight ensure the maintenance of the flamboyant trees in the forests found in the country. But when the population of the country increases, the forests are destroyed and the lands become useless for plantation and thus the country loses its grandeur and pastures.

Trees provide not only natural beauty and shade but also fundamental needs of living things in this world, such as food, shelter and clothes. Some parts of the trees such as leaves, nuts, fruit and yams are consumed by the people.

They provide shelter for birds and animals. In the past people not only built overhead huts to save them from wild animals but also used leaves and barks of the trees to cover their body. Now clothes are woven with cotton.

Trees purify the air by absorbing Carbon dioxide and emitting Oxygen and also maintaining moisture in the environment. Their roots prevent soil erosion and floods. Therefore, felling of trees cause soil erosion.

Due to clearing of jungles and burning trees the weather pattern has changed. Now we have identified the “treble action” performed by trees as a “Provider” of fundamental needs, as “cleanser” purifying the air and as the “defender” against environment pollution.

At last we have to take a vow to uphold trees as our friends in need and to keep the world environment friendly by not felling trees and planting more trees.

Sarika Nandasekaran,
Grade 8,
St. Bridget’s Convent,
Colombo 7.

Winner:

My cousin Buvindu

My cousin’s name is Buvindu. He is staying at Kekirawa. He likes to play with me.

My cousin is one year and two months old. We celebrated his first birthday recently.I give him toys. He wants to play with toy cars.

I love my cousin brother very much.

Anusara Weerakoon,
Grade 2A,Dharmaraja College,
Kandy.

Winner:

A wristwatch speaks

I was born in a factory in India in 1999. I was very beautiful. I have a soft silver sheen. I had a glass on my face and there were 12 numbers on it. Then I was taken to a jewellery shop. There I had many friends. After a few days a lady bought me although I was very expensive.

She presented me to her son Roshan on his 21st birthday. He wore me on his wrist and went to office. I was very useful for Roshan for his daily activities. He learnt how to work on time from me. After work he kept me in his drawer. I worked for Roshan for about ten years. I was getting old. I could not give the correct time. So, he discarded me.

He sold me back to the jeweller. Now nobody wants me. Now I cannot work efficiently. After a few days I am going to die. However, I still remember the happy days I spent with Roshan.

W.D. Shanika Rasangi,
Grade 9A,
NCEF Buddhist College,
Mulleriyawa New Town.

Winner:

My pet cat goes missing

It was a beautiful morning. When I woke up I found that my cat was missing. It was not on the bookshelf or on the rug. Then I asked my mother where my cat was. Meow, meow, I heard a noise from the wash room. I ran to see my cat in a bucket of water!

I took him out and wiped him with my towel. I gave him a hot cup of milk. It was very happy.

Ravindu Bandara,
Grade 6A,
Harischandra College,
Negombo.

Winner:

How to save mother earth

In the present day, the world is developing rapidly and new technologies and machines are introduced. With this widespread modernisation taking place, the demand for natural substances is increasing.

As a result, people dig up huge quantities of the earth’s natural resources. This has upset the balance of mother earth. We should stop this, if we are to save the planet earth.

Pollution is also taking place rapidly. The factories and vehicles are emitting endless quantities of polluted and harmful smoke. As a result, the greenhouse effect has exceeded the expected limit and global warming is taking place.

Acidic gases, such as sulphur dioxide, dissolve in the clouds the rain from the clouds is called acid rain. Acid rain dissolves away limestone structures and harms animal and plant life. To prevent air pollution, air purifiers can be used.Factories are also dumping chemical waste into rivers and other water bodies. This kills thousands of aquatic creatures, mainly fish. This has to be stopped. All waste from factories has to be filtered from harmful substances before dumping it into the environment.

Now, even though countries are developing, people throw their garbage everywhere. People can use dustbins to dispose of their garbage. If not the environment will be terribly harmed. Recycling must also take place. Plastic, metal and polythene can be recycled easily. If people work hard and try to reduce the harm they cause to mother earth, we can save it.

Janani Randhula,
Grade 9,
Willesden College International,
Battaramulla.

I am a bicycle

I have two wheels and people call me a 'bicycle.’ I help people to travel from place to place. I have a comfortable seat and a nickel bell. I also have a head lamp powered by a dynamo.

It does not cost to ride me. I am considered the poorman's vehicle. Most children like me and they use me for cycle races. I have a cousin with three wheels, his name is 'Tricycle.’

However, I do not like rainy days. On such days, I become useless. I wish I could stop the rain!

Malith Ransika Sahabandu,
Grade 7A,
Dharmapala Maha Vidyalaya,
Kottawa.

My school

The name of my school is Agamathi Balika Vidyalaya. It is situated in Panadura. My school was founded on February 5, 1980. The founder of my school is Dr. Neville Fernando. He launched our school with six students, one building and four teachers.

Now we have a library, a computer room, a laboratory and a large playground. My school has two shrine rooms. The colours of our school tie are dark green and yellow.

Most of the students in my school are Buddhists. There are nearly 3,000 students and 80 teachers. There are classes from Year 1 to 13. Students can follow commerce, science and arts streams in the Advanced Level classes. The principal of our school is Padmini Fernando. She is a very kind and dedicated principal. She wants all of us to be obedient, virtuous and hard-working girls. She has been in our school for the past three years. My school has won the award for the 'Best School’ in the Kalutara district.

We play Table Tennis, Volleyball, Badminton and Netball. Every year we hold a prize-giving and a sports meet. There are four houses, Olu, Nelum, Manel and Kumudu. I hope my school will become the 'Best School’ in Sri Lanka.

Mahelee Tarindi Muthumala,
Grade 7A,
Agamathi Balika Vidyalaya,
Panadura.

The importance of breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. A good breakfast provides the nutrients that people need to start their day right. Breakfast is also very important for weight loss and weight management. A good breakfast must contain all nutrients. If you eat breakfast at home, choose a breakfast with milk, fruit and cereal. These three can provide a balanced breakfast.

Studies show that children who eat a good breakfast do better in school than children who do not do so.

Children who eat a good breakfast perform better in their studies. They attend school regularly and pay attention, think better and score high marks in tests.

Children who do not have their breakfast before going to school have problems such as headaches, sleepiness and stomach pain. Many students refuse to eat breakfast before going to school for several reasons such as lack of time and not feeling hungry. So, it is the responsibility of parents to provide the children with a healthy breakfast.

V. Vashikaran,
Grade 8,
St. Peter's College,
Bambalapitiya.

My mother

My mother's name is Geethani Amaradiwakara. She is 41 years old. She is a very beautiful woman with long hair.

She is a teacher. My mother gives me advice. She helps me to do my school work.

Rasula Geesara Ratnayake,
Grade 2E,
Deniyaya Central College,
Deniyaya.

The importance of learning English

English is the most widely used language in the world. Nearly two- thirds of the world population use English. In countries such as England, the USA, Canada, Australia and several parts of Africa, it is the mother tongue. In many Commonwealth countries such as Sri Lanka, India and Malaysia it is the second language.

English is important not only as an international language, but also as a language of trade, a link language, language of mass communication, a second language, language of everyday life and as a means of obtaining foreign employment.

English can be regarded as the window to the world. This idea was expressed by the first Prime Minister of India, the late Jawaharlal Nehru.

There are several communities in Sri Lanka. English plays an important role as a link language. It promotes good relations among all the communities. If we know English we can communicate with other ethnic groups easily. Today the world is highly advanced in science and technology. Almost all books on various subjects are written in English. If we know English we can read and understand the facts in these books. Today the whole world has become a global village through modern methods of communication such as Telex, Fax, E-mail and the Internet. English is the main language that is used in all these media.

As our economy is based mostly on the export trade we have to deal constantly with other countries. We all must take to heart and learn English for our future.

C.Sheran Kusal Silva,
Grade 8 C,
Davisamara Maha Vidyalaya,
Seeduwa.