Our country is a mango shaped island in the Indian Ocean. We recently experienced a dangerous flood in our country. Ratnapura, Matara, Galle and Kalutara were badly affected by this flood. Flood means that some water, due to heavy continuous shower for hours, rises to the height of three to four feet.

This time the flood was much higher, that villages, small houses and fields were submerged in floods. Many people were homeless and helpless. Students lost their clothing as well as books and stationery.
Trees fell down damaging buildings and properties. Many roads and railway tracks were damaged and washed away. Most of the belongings of people like food, clothing, shelter, property, dairy and poultry farms were washed away by the flowing floods.

Later the helpless, homeless victims have to live on donations from others. Good Samaritans and well-wishers go to these affected areas with provisions, clothing, books and stationery.

Countries like China, India, Norway, Japan and Germany willingly gave a helping hand in our hour of need. We should highly encourage and appreciate the generosity of our people and people of neighbouring countries. Flood is a natural disaster and may we pray to God to save our lives and give us good health, provisions and prosperity.

Poson - 9 – 11 years

By Tharana Wasala-arachchi, (11 years) Ananda College

Poson full moon poya day is the sixth poya day of the year. It was the day Buddhism was brought to Sri lanka by 'Arahath Mahinda Thero,' 2255 years ago.

King Devanampiyatissa was hunting deer and was standing under a mango tree when he saw a yellow robed person who called him by name. The king wondered who this could be.

The sage explained that they had come from Jambudeepa, the ancient name of India. The king understood and worshipped the sage who was Arahath Mahinda Thero. After a short interview Mahinda Thero realized that the king could understand the Dhamma and taught him Buddhism. In this way Buddhism spread over the whole country.

Poson poya day is considered by Buddhists in this country as a very important day, second only to Vesak day.

An animal I saw in my garden - 8 years and below

By Dinithi Jayasekara (8 years), All Nations International School

One day I saw an iguana eating worms and insects in our garbage pit. But I often see it running here and there in our garden. It lives in my father's store room.

It is quite big. It has four legs with sharp claws to dig holes. It is grey in colour. Although it does not look
beautiful, it is an innocent reptile.Sometimes when it climbs trees it falls down. It never harms humans. But it's scared of us.

Now the mummy iguana has babies. We want to see them grow bigger. We like them. Don't you?