Environmental pollution is a common problem today. People do not think of what dangers we may face later. Mother Earth faces a lot of problems due to pollution.

To make people aware of these dangers, the United Nations conference on Human Environment declared June 5 as the World Environment Day. We celebrate this day to focus on the environment and the dangers it is facing.

There are four kinds of pollution. They are water pollution, air pollution, land pollution and sound pollution.
Water pollution is caused when waste liquids are dumped out into rivers, lakes or when divers or farmers throw pesticides or insecticides into water bodies. Due to this, aquatic plants and animals die and it can also cause dengue.

Air pollution is caused by burning plastic, smoke and toxic fumes. Sometimes, this causes acid rain. When this rain falls, soil, plants and buildings are damaged. Land pollution is caused by cutting down trees, littering in open areas and keeping garbage bins open. Flies breed usually on bins. So, if flies breed in the environment and sit on our food, we can fall ill.

Noise pollution is caused by loud music. This affects our nerves and brains. Pollution is bad in anyway we see. We must prevent pollution by growing trees, re-cycling, using public transport that reduces
vehicles which will reduce smoke or use bicycles as it doesn't produce smoke at all.

Besides that, we can also give speeches and distribute books and advertise on the TV about pollution and how to stop it.

My friend

By Kavinu Undugodage (7 years) S. Thomas' Preparatory School, Colombo 3

My friend is Danula. He is seven years old. He goes to S. Thomas’ Preparatory School. He is in Grade 3A. I and Danula go to school in the same school van. He likes to eat biscuits. He likes to drink orange juice. We play basketball in school. I love my friend.

My country

By Hajara Mumtaz (Grade 2), Ilma International School

My country is Sri Lanka. It is the pearl of the Indian Ocean. The capital of Sri Lanka is Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte. The commercial capital is Colombo.

There are many rivers in Sri Lanka and the longest river is the Mahaweli. My country is famous for tea, rubber and coconut. The closest country to Sri Lanka is India. The president of Sri Lanka is Hon. Mahinda Rajapakse. The prime minister is Hon. Ratnasiri Wickramanayake.

The highest mountain is Piduruthalagala. The tallest waterfall is Bambarakanda. My country's national bird is the jungle fowl. The national game is volleyball and the national flower is the blue water lily.

Sri Lanka is a country with lots of natural resources. Nuwara Eliya is the most beautiful place in Sri Lanka which is situated in the hill country. I love my country very much and I am proud to be a Sri Lankan.

My favourite sport

By Abdullah Kamal (7 years), Dehiwala

My favourite sport is cricket. There are 11 players in a team. My favourite batsman is T.M. Dilshan. He strikes fours well, mostly in T20 matches. My favourite bowler is N. Kulasekara. He has taken many wickets. There are two innings in a cricket match. I can bat well. I love to play cricket very much.

A visit to the Air Force Museum

By Rashvin Senanayake (7 years), British School in Colombo

One day we went to the Air Force Museum. We invited two of my school friends. Their names are Kamalash and Rahul. We all went to the museum which is in Ratmalana. At the security checkpoint they checked us and then we set off.

We got to the museum and bought our tickets and went in. The first plane we saw was a Kamov pilot trainer. It had been made in Russia. Then we moved on and well, what do you know, we next saw a
De Havilland DH made in England.

Then we went to a hanger which had cars. We saw a Mercedes Benz bullet proof armoured vehicle, a 2 wheel tractor and an Austin Champ Fir vehicle.

Then we went to another hanger which had guns, missiles, parachutes, airmen working clothes and an old telephone shaped like a plane. Then we went inside a Douglas DC-3 and saw the cockpit. Twenty eight passengers could sit inside this plane.

Then we went to the theater which showed a flight simulation and an attack on a LTTE airstrip. We then saw a Bell 206A Jet Ranger made in the USA. It was a 2 blade helicopter. Then we saw a beautiful MIG 17! I had a great time.

Then we had lunch from McDonalds and went home. We played with my dog Ginger and then my friends went home.

My father

By Lavanya Wijegunathileke (6 years), Lyceum International School, Nugegoda

My father is the best father in the whole world. His name is Shiran. He is tall, fair and handsome. He is forty years old. He is a doctor and he works in a hospital.

My father looks after me. He drops us at school and picks us from school. He works hard to earn money for us. He reads books for us and plays with us. He even does the housework.

I love my father very much. He is my hero.

I like my English Teacher

By Allison De Silva (Grade 7), Hejaaz International School

My English teacher, Miss Natasha Chamba is the best. She is very beautiful, kind-hearted and loving. She teaches us English grammar. Her English is totally awesome. She would never punish us. Instead she only warns us.

She wears really cute dresses that look so nice on her. On special days she wears a black abaya. She is such an interesting person to talk to. She often relates funny stories. She is amazing!