Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka's World Heritage Site

12 - 14 years

Polonnaruwa, is a marvellous site of Sri Lanka that can be considered as an ancient kingdom. King Parakramabahu the First built his royal palace there. Most of the buildings and veheras are now in ruins.

Kiri Vehera and Rankoth Vehera were very attractive. Further, there are statues of Lord Buddha at Gal Viharaya and a statue of King Parakramabahu in front of Pothgul Viharaya. He is holding something in his hand. Some say that the statue is of wise man. A clever sculptor has carved the sleeping Buddha's statue with the face full of feeling of peace and calm.

Visitors are astonished when they see these fascinating dagobas, which are built high into the sky. Samudras or tanks are built as big as oceans.

When we visited Polonnaruwa, it was like an ancient cultural museum. This is a place that can tell our country's esteem.

Therefore Polonnaruwa is a place where we can form peaceful thoughts and a World Heritage Site as it illustrates the proud history of Sri Lanka.

Rochana Gunasekara
(14 years)
Vidyartha College, Kandy

War is the winner

Though there are many hopes,
Dreams and plans for a tranquil era,
Yet, war is the winner.

Many proposals and agreements,
Are made each and every month,
But each one creaks and bends,
All end up in the dump.

War is yet the victor,
Peace is sadly driven astray,
Much to the bitter languor,
Terrorism gets its prey.

Oh! Woe betide the irksome war,
May serenity befall our country.
Let us all make the hatred flee,
Succour Sri Lanka, become an affluent
community.

Suchithra Withanage
(11 years)
Lyceum International School

Migration of birds

9 – 11 years

It started snowing. It was the time for the birds of Britain to fly away to southern warm countries. Now in this bird group there was a leader named Woe. He was very old, and very kind. He commanded all the birds to migrate.
One of the birds said to Woe, "Your Majesty, you go in front, we'll follow you." But Woe said, "No."

The bird asked, "Why?" Woe replied, 'I'll come at last, so I can take care of you all."

All agreed and started to migrate. They flew in a 'V' shaped formation.

In the meantime, it started to rain. Then all flew with great difficulty.

As I said before, Woe was very old. So when he was flying he got very tired and said that he couldn't fly.

All the birds helped him and he was saved. And then all reached Sri Lanka. They were very happy.

Hafsha Hams
(10 years)
Lexicon International School, Kandy