My Dad

My dad’s name is Ajith Jayathilake. He works on an estate. He buys me nice things. He takes us on trips. I love my dad.

The polecat

By Ian Perera, St. Anthony’s College, Kandy

One morning I was getting ready to go to school. It was about five in the morning and quite dark. As I was brushing my teeth in the bathroom, something made me look up. I almost fainted.

Two black eyes stared back at me. All I saw was black fur, shiny eyes and a cone shaped snout. Hearing my screams, my mom and brother came running. Whatever that was there. quickly vanished between the roof and ceiling.

“It’s only the polecat that lives on our ceiling,” my mom laughed. “He watches too many ghost stories on TV,” I heard my brother tell mom.

My second Cubboree

By Theekshana De Silva (Grade 5), Lexicon Int. School, Kandy

On December 27, 28 and 29, last year, there was a Scouts Cubboree at Hambantota. I went to this Cubboree because I’m a Cub Scout. I went with my scouting friends and parents. My scouting teacher Mrs. S.B.M. Ekanayake also joined us.

We went in a bus, singing and playing. We reached there at 1 p.m. On the first day we went to Eraminiya, Angunukolapelassa. The President came and made a speech. I was very happy because I saw the President for the first time.

It was raining heavily that afternoon. The ground was full of mud but still we enjoyed. Then we ran to the bus and went to a temple to stay that night. Next morning we went to Dutugamunu College, Lunama, Ambalangoda. There were many games and activities to do. We met a lot of new friends too. After it finished we went to bathe in a stream.

The next day we went to see the new harbour. The harbour was like a huge pool. There were different kinds of ships and boats. Then we went to the bus to go home. When I reached home it was around 8.30 p.m. I was very happy because this was my first trip to the Southern Province. I will never forget this adventurous journey.

Departure of my friend

By Amanga Kuruppu (10 years), Southlands College, Galle

Ama Nuwarapaksa is my best friend. From Grade Three she was in my class. She is a good and helpful friend. She is a very pretty and intelligent girl. After she passed the Grade Five Scholarship Exam she decided to go to Colombo. Before she left school, I visited her place. She also came with her mother and stayed one day at my place. We played very happily. We visited our friends’ places.

Ama’s departure is a great loss for me. I lost a good friend. Although she is not here, we can talk over the phone and share our ideas. After going to the new school she will tell me about her new school. She will meet new friends but a good friendship never ends at all.

I wish my best friend all the best!

Swimming

By Dinali Wijesinghe (9 years), Vishaka B.M.M.V., Bandarawela

Swimming is very good for us. We learn to swim in the swimming pool. Swimming is good for our body and it is one of the best exercises. There are swimming clubs also. When we swim we have to wear a
swimming kit, swimming goggles and a rubber swimming cap.

We have to practice to swim very well. We can swim in lakes, sea, rivers and swimming pools. Swimming is good for us because if someone can’t swim he or she will drown in water. We can help them. I love to swim very much.

My trip to Pinnawala

By George Priyashantha (12 years), Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa

Our school organized a trip to Pinnawala last Saturday. We left from school at around 6.30 a.m., and reached Pinnawala by 10.30 a.m.

The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is a fascinating place. We can see a lot of disabled and abandoned
elephants. They receive good care and protection. It is one of the world’s best elephant breeding centres.
When we got off from the bus and walked to the entrance, we could see lots of elephants bathing and playing just in front of the orphanage.

Some of the elephants were guarded by the mahouts. At the orphanage we could see the elephants’ behaviour. Some were eating, some are roaming freely. We saw injured elephants were bathed and bottle fed by the mahouts. We saw a few foreigners. They took some photographs. We really enjoyed the time spent at the orphanage. It was a memorable experience.

My loving pet

By Alison Grero (7 years), St. Lawrence’s Convent, Colombo 6

My pet is a dog. Its name is Zacky. It likes to drink milk and it likes to eat bones. It is tall and it is big.
I love my dog as it loves me.

My grandmother

By Taibah Khalid (Grade 2), Ladies’ College

My grandmother’s name was Nizamiya. She was my mother’s mummy. My grandmother was a very good cook and made tasty waffles and steak. She used to make juice for my brother and me.

Suddenly she fell ill and she left us. We were all very sad. She loved all of us and we loved her. We miss her so much. She was the best grandmother in the whole world.

My best friend

By Kavisha Piyadasa, Musaeus College

My best friend is Samila Imbulana. He attends Ananda College in Colombo 10. His mother is a housewife. His father works in SLT Telecom. He has two brothers and sisters. He has a car. He likes to read books. He’s my best friend. I love him and he loves me too.

My trip on the Jetliner

By Shenal Fernando (12 years), St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 10

It was a bright morning. I thought that it was a fine day for sailing and why not? We were going in the Jetliner Ship. My father, mother, sister, grandfather, myself and my friend Roshil were heading towards the Lake House car park, just opposite the Regal Cinema. The buses were there so as to take us to the harbour.

We boarded the Jetliner and we were given some packets of food by the staff of the ship, a packet of Milo each and a cap. We took a few photos in the ship. We went to Mount Lavinia, turned back and headed towards the Colombo Harbour. After that we were watching how the harbour men tied the ship to the dockyard.

After we got down from the ship, we went towards the Lake House car park and when we got down it was a nice feeling for the legs. I am sure that I will not forget this date January 2nd, 2011.

Floods

By Tashia Kannangara (11 years), St. Bridget’s Convent

A few months ago Sri Lanka experienced floods that brought misery to many people. The coming of the monsoon, saw many areas being flooded. This caused destruction to life and property. Over twenty five deaths were recorded.

Many houses were damaged. People were forced to seek shelter in safe places. The government had to provide meals for over one hundred thousand people. Some people were trapped and Navy boats were used to rescue them.

But why did this happen? The causes are many. People filled up areas where water used to flow. The drains and canals were blocked. The Army and Navy had to clean up river mouths where the sand dunes had blocked the rainwater flowing into the sea.

So, the selfishness of people was one of the causes. Now, we must plan for the future by cleaning canals and by not allowing people to put up illegal constructions.

Ananda College Sports Meet 2011

By Pradeepa Ariyadasa (Grade 9), Ananda College, Colombo 10

My school is Ananda College, Colombo 10. On February 8, 2011 we had our sports meet in the
college grounds. The ceremony began at 1.00 p.m., and the chief guests were Mr. Hariguptha Rohandeera and Mr. Vijitha Vijayamuni Soyza.

They were lead to the pavilion by the college brass band. Then was the marchpast of the college sports team. After that the events began. There were many events and medals were given to the winners.

Then there were speeches by the honourable chief guests . They spoke about the development of our school. The events of the invited schools were held next. Nalanda College and Musaeus College won the places in that.

Then was the drill display done by college students in Grades 6,7,8 and 9. I also participated for that item. After the applause of the audience, the drill display of the Grade 3, 4 and 5 brothers began.

After the gymnastic shows there was the marchpast of the four houses named Parakrama,
Vijaya, Ashoka and Gamunu. I’m in Parakrama house. After the sky cracker show we saw the end of annual sports meet 2011.