How we prepare before a New Year Festival
View(s):How we prepare before a New Year Festival
Sinhala and Tamil New Year is a national festival, celebrated by the Sinhala and Tamil people. Ancient people celebrated the New Year at the end of the harvesting crop as a tribute to the Sun. At this time the trees are full in bloom, for example the Erabadu and Ehela trees. The warm temperature of the atmosphere and the cries of the koel bird symbolizes the arrival of the New Year. The New Year is celebrated on April 13 and 14. At this time the sun moves from ‘Pisces House’ to ‘Aries House.’
Everybody gets ready beforehand for the New Year. First, they clean their houses and colour washing them. They prepare delicious sweetmeats like oil cakes, kokis, aluwa, pani walalu, aggala etc. They buy new clothes and crackers. There is an old tradition to observe the moon before the New Year. On April 13, people bathe and in the evening they go to the temple to get blessings from the village monk.
On April 14, the day of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, we boil milk at the auspicious time and prepare milkrice. At an auspicious time our parents transact with the well. Then we start having our meals. And on the other day, we apply herbal medicinal oil on our heads while burning crackers. We visit our relatives, neighbours and friends. We share our sweetmeats with them. Then we go to the New Year festivals and enjoy the games.
New Year is one of the happiest festivals we celebrate every year.
Chamuthi Piyaratne (Grade 7)
Royal Int. School, Kegalle
A pencil speaks
I am called a pencil. I am very useful to everyone in many ways. I was born in a small industry in Kadugannawa. I looked very handsome. My body is made from wood and lead. I have a beautiful eraser on the top of my body. One day, I found myself in a shop in the market, with my friends. I could see many customers visiting the shop. I did not have to stay there long.
It was a hot day in July.
A man rushed to the shop to take a pencil. His eyes fell on me. He chose me and paid a handsome price too. I parted with my friends very sadly. My master was very pleased to use me. Now I also felt happy because I was helping a person to write. On reaching home, he showed me to his wife and son and both of them liked me.
I feel that he uses me carefully. One day my master’s son took me to school and forgot to carry me back home. I was lost. Early the next morning the sweeper came and found me under a desk.
I was given to his son. I became a plaything for him.
One day, he broke me and threw me to a corner where I still lie, covered in dust and cobwebs.
Hiruni Ranaweera (Grade 7)
Ave Maria Convent, Negombo
The Sinhala and Tamil New Year
There are several national festivals in Sri Lanka. The Sinhala and Tamil New Year is regarded as the most important national festival. It is held in April. Before this great day, people do so many things. They colour their houses and prepare sweetmeats. They go shopping and buy New Year clothes in lucky colours.
They buy gifts too.
The hearth is lit at the auspicious time. The traditional milk rice is cooked. After taking the first meal, they engage in other activities. They wear new clothes and exchange money with others. The children offer sheaves of betel and worship their elders. People in all walks of life spend the New Year period joyfully.
Kavindi Kanishka (Grade 7)
Aluthgamgoda K.V., Nauththuduwa
My teachers
Many wonderful teachers taught me to lift me up. They worked hard and taught dedicatedly. They didn’t care about their time and energy. Because of such teachers whom, I met in my life, I am in this level of improvement. I am ever thankful to them and I will never forget their services.
So keeping all of them in my heart, I will work for the people in need once I become a doctor.
D. Majurika (Grade 6)
Nedunkerni M. V.
I am a kite
I am a kite. A boy made me with papers and with bamboo sticks. I was the most beautiful kite among all the kites.
Then he tied a thread on me and took me to a field and flew me in the sky. My owner was very happy. Suddenly, a strong wind blew very fast and my thread was broken and I went and stuck on a tree. Then my owner was very sad. Till I die I will be there in the tree.
Sahani Gunathilaka (9 years)
Royal Int. School, Kegalle