Winner:

The day when everything went wrong

It was the first day of the week and the previous day I had planned to have an enjoyable time in school. It all started when my alarm failed to go off and I woke up late. In my hurry I slipped and knocked myself and failing to check the water temperature, ended up standing under a spray of boiling water.

Then when I tried to drink my tea I spilled it all over myself. I cleaned the floor and went to get dressed to catch the school bus but, it had gone leaving me. I was now thinking what I have to do next.

I hurried home and took money to travel by the public bus. I missed the public bus too. However, I managed to travel by myself to school, and I got a shock of my life because already two subjects were over and it was interval time. However, I was happy that I missed the subjects I hated most. I got ready to have my snack and when I opened the bag, my tiffin box was missing.

Then I remembered that I left it on the dining table at home.

Finally school was over and when I was going home I slipped on a banana peel and I knocked my head. This reminded me that I should have planned before leaving for school.

Fortunately, after that day I have not overslept and it reminded me that I should be punctual and never oversleep.

F. Rihama Nisthar,
Grade 7,
Highline International School,Kandy.

Winner:

Various types of forests

Forests are land with many trees. There are mainly three types of forests such as Tropical Rain Forests, Montane Forests and Dry Mixed Evergreen Forests.

Tropical Rain Forests are also called Wet Evergreen Forests. They are found in highlands nearly 900m above sea level. Rain forests receive an annual rainfall of above 2000mm. It has a hot-wet climate. For example tropical rain forests are Sinharaja, Kithulgala and Kanneliya forests.

Montane Forests are found at heights of 900m above sea level. They receive an annual rainfall of 4000mm. The areas where these Montane forests are situated are subject to strong winds. So the trunks are twisted or gnarled and the trees are short. Examples of Montane forests are Pidurutalagala, Adams Peak, Kikiliyamana, Knuckles Range, Horton Plains and Pattipola reserves.

Dry Mixed Evergreen forests are also known as Monsoon Forests. They are located around 900m above sea level in the Dry Zone. These trees have thick barks and twisted trunks. They receive an annual rainfall of about 1250-1900mm. These forests are found in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Batticaloa and Ampara districts.

There are many advantages of forests. Our annual rainfall is obtained through the water cycle which are naturally maintained in these areas. Trees play an important role in the water cycle.

Valuable medicinal trees are found in these forests which also provide the habitat for wild animals.

In some countries the main income is through the sale of timber. These countries provide enough timber for wood work carried out in the factories. Though forests provide timber we must minimise the cutting of trees in these forests.“Forests are like gods to humans,” and we must protect these valuable trees .

Nethmina Fernando,
Grade 8E,
St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa.

Winner:

The Mahaweli river

The Mahaweli Ganga is the longest rivers in Sri Lanka which starts flowing from the Samanala mountain. The Mahaweli Ganga is as beautiful as the Kelani, Kalu and Walawe or one can say it is even more beautiful than these rivers. It starts from the Samanala mountain and winds its way round the mountain till it reaches the sea at Trincomalee.

This is why it is known as the longest river.

Many people, especially foreigners enjoy bathing in this river. One day I went with my family to see the Mahaweli river and we bathed in it. I was happy that day because I got the opportunity to bathe in this river. My sisters joined me to play with me in the river. My father told us not to go deep into the water.

During rainy days, the Mahaweli overflows because of excess water. This river is famous and many types of gems that are hidden in the river surface and are found by gem miners.

S.M.C. Nilakshi Samarakoon,
Grade 6,
Girls’ High School, Kandy.

Winner:

Impact of Internet on youth

In this fast moving world, people have become dependent on the internet. However, browsing for too long on the internet can cause addiction and thus may kill the reading habit and the love for the written word. Staying long hours on the internet may result in health problems such Carpel Tunnel Syndrome.

Instead of spending time with your family, in the field or engaging in reading, now people spend time on the internet, the biggest time waster.

The ability to receive accurate and instant information, the ability to connect with individuals from around the world are some of the benefits of the internet.

What would you do if you want to find information for a project or an assignment? Of course, Google it. It is indeed the easiest and most effective way to gain knowledge. No matter what you want to know, it is readily available and is presented before you, the moment you type what you want on the internet.

Shalini Gunathilake,
Grade 11B,
Hejaaz International School.

Winner:

Natural disasters

Can you say what a disaster is and what a natural disaster is? Processes which affect humans and other living organisms is known as a disaster. Disasters that occur without human interference are known as natural disasters.

There are some natural disasters which regularly affect Sri Lanka. They are floods, droughts, landslides, cyclone, thunder bolts, tsunami, wildfire, sea erosion and storms.

Disasters cause destruction to valuable lives, property, crops and the environment. We can’t stop disasters but we can prevent them. The Chinese in China had an earthquake in February in 1975. They evacuated the people from the town of Hawan within 2-3 hours and saved millions of people. Only three people were killed by this earthquake.

Due to heavy rains river overflows causing floods. Adding non-biodegradable plastic to water ways also cause floods. There are human activities which cause floods. They are clearing and using slope lands for cultivation, filling up lowlands, clearing forest in rain catchment areas, and setting fire to jungles. Flood announcement can be heard through radio and television. Torch should be ready with new batteries. Should switch off the main. Documents such as deeds, insurance, certificates, examination certificates and birth certificates should be kept in a safe place. We should carry important telephone numbers with us.

There will be waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera and typhoid. On May 13, 2013 and on December 24-30, 2014 there was a heavy flood in the highlands and in the lowlands of Sri Lanka. Due to the heavy rain the sluice gates of major dams were opened because the water could not be contained in the tanks.

V.S. Pradhurshika,
Grade 7,
Highlands Central College, Hatton.

Discovery of oxygen

Oxygen is the most important of all gases. All living things need Oxygen. It is an active gas that acts as fuel inside the body of every living thing. The intake of oxygen and the release of carbon dioxide is called respiration. As a result,energy is released and the body is able to work.

Oxygen forms about one fifth of the air coat around the earth. Oxygen is an element which is colourless. It has no smell or taste. Joseph Priestly discovered Oxygen in 1774A.D. It is said that Carl Scheele, a Swedish chemist had discovered it in 1772 A.D. but he kept it a secret till 1777 A.D.

Consequently, the credit of discovery went to Joseph Priestly. The name ‘oxygen’ was given to this gas by a French chemist named Antoine Lovoisier.

Oxygen mixes with other elements to form their oxides. Most substances burn after combining with it.

F. Amaani Mumtaz,
Grade 6B,
Sailan International School,
Seeduwa.

My country

My country is Sri Lanka. It is situated in the Indian ocean. It is a small island. The capital of Sri Lanka is Sri Jayawardenapura, Kotte. The commercial capital is Colombo.

The President of our country is Maithripala Sirisena and our Prime Minister is Ranil Wickremesinghe. The national tree of Sri Lanka is the Na tree and the national flower is blue water Lilly. The national bird is the Jungle fowl.

There are lakes, rivers, forests and waterfalls in Sri Lanka. Our country is popular for gems. There are three main crops such as tea, rubber and coconut,

We export vegetables, fruits, tea, flowers and betel. Sri Lanka is an agricultural country. I love my country very much.

Thisandi Nethmuthu Punchihewa
Grade 7A,
Edirivira Sarachchandra Vidyalaya,
Mulleriyawa.