• Protecting Orchids
• Fishes
• A Royal Exhibition
• A mother's love
• Cricket Mania
• A Sad Goodbye

Protecting Orchids

By Uncle D.C.R

Apart from the Vesak Orchid and the Star Orchid used in the set of Pictorial stamps issued in 1954, several popular varieties of orchids have been featured in stamps, at least on two occasions, once to celebrate the golden jubilee of the Orchid Circle of Ceylon and the next time the Circle's diamond jubilee. Founded on 11 March 1934, the Orchid Circle did a pioneering job in popularising the growing of orchids as a hobby. In the early years the Circle campaigned for the protection of Island's indigenous orchid species and they succeeded in getting six species declared under the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance. The list now includes 37 species.

One set released on 22 August 1984 featured four varieties - Vanda Memoria Ernest Soysa (60 cts) to honour the man instrumental in forming the Orchid Circle; Acanthephippium bicolor (Rs 4.60), one of the more spectacular wild orchids on account of the striking 4.5 cm long flowers in large clusters; Vanda tessellata (Rs 5), Sri Lanka's commonest, best known and perhaps the most cultivated wild orchid species; and Anoectochilus setaceus (Rs 10) or Vana Raja, one of the best known jewel orchids which are usually small and pale coloured but for their leaves which are strikingly patterned in rich shades of copper, orange, green and silver.

The second set was issued on 27 December 1994 and featured four varieties - Dendrobium Maccarthie or Vesak orchid (50cts); Cottonia Pendunularis (Rs 1), with an elongated lip that resembles a bee; Bulbophyllum Wightii (Rs 5), and Habenaria Crinifera (Rs 17) or Narilatha or Ahas Makuluwa (Flying Spider).

Fishes

Fishes, fishes in the water,
Lovely fishes in the water,
Swimming every day and night,
Smiling with the stars, at night.

Minuri Fernando,

Methodist College,

Colombo 3.

A Royal Exhibition

It was so heartening to see so many young Royalists actively involved in stamp collecting. This was evident at the exhibition held at the Lionel Wendt recently to mark the 53rd anniversary of the College Philatelic Club. Participation was very good and there was a lot of innovative thinking gone into the way stamps were exhibited. Many had used the Golden Jubilee Independence as the theme displaying their collections in numerous ways to mark the event.

The magazine 'The Royal Philatelist' carried many interesting articles by members who seem to be a keen lot. These included the history of stamps, hints on collecting and protecting stamps and news of latest issues.

Well done. Keep up the good work.

Uncle D.C.R

A mother's love

I can still remember
Your warm love.
I don't know why your eyes are
so kind.
Every passing hour
I can't forget your face as I dream
About you.
Your love is unconditioned.
My mother.

W.A. Harsha Priya Sanjeewa,

Royal Central College,

Polonnaruwa.

Cricket Mania

Cricket started in England a long time ago. They played cricket matches and they broadcasted it on radio. Listening to these commentaries and comments was great. Cricket was given a lot of attention. Then, when England started to play matches with other countries, cricket started to spread throughout the world.

Today in Sri Lanka many of the boys in schools play cricket. Cricket is first among all the games now. In Sri Lanka there is nobody who doesn't know about cricket even children as young as 2 years know about the game. They all prefer to watch cricket matches, but young boys like to participate more than watch.

Sports has some good things to offer, it helps us develop physically and mentally. We learn good manners, and discipline one self to play as a team, and also teaches us to accept both defeat and victory.

During the test matches most people waste time unknowingly watching the matches. They go home early to watch the matches. And they do enjoy themselves Unlike other games cricket has a way of catching the spectators' attention from the beginning till the end. That is why it has become a mania among the young and the old.

Considering the last few years it is obvious that Sri Lanka has become a great cricket team. They have travelled to many countries to participate in cricket matches. And here the Television shows the matches live so that we could enjoy every little detail of the match.

At cricket matches, the spectators sometimes go wild with their cheering. They run round the field waving flags, giving advice to the players. Some of them hold huge posters with the words 'Six' or 'Four' written on them. These are for the batsmen to see.

Even shopkeepers suffer from 'cricket mania'. They paste the walls of their shops with cricket stickers.

Yes, this generation will be called the cricket generation

Kithmini Samaraweerahetti,

Anula Vidyalaya

A Sad Goodbye

Good bye, dearest teacher....
From the very first day we met you,
You were a blooming flower in our hearts
But as time has passed by with years,
The day has come for us to part....

Still, the memories of you are with us
Keeping the flame alive
You're far away, thus....
Your lessons will remain with us for life.
Your eyes showed pure generosity
Your smile was a symbol of sincerity.
Your features don't make it hard
To sense, the uniqueness of your heart

You could read children's minds,
And give the exact cure to soothe us.
You made us cheerful and bright
And our work is done without any fuss.

Your farewell was a gloomy dark affair.
Which we couldn't get rid of, from our minds.
And the sinking sensation of our hearts.

Remembering your wonderful personality
Makes our hearts glow
But now that you're far away,
A warm tear will always flow,

Words are not enough
To express the desolation, we feel
The saddest word we've forced to say to you dear teacher
Is a sad "good bye".

Anudinee Munathanthri,

Visakha Vidyalaya.

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