9 years and below
A holiday by the sea
I went to Unawatuna Beach in Galle to take a sea bath. I planned to go there during my school vacation. Unawatuna Beach is a popular beach among foreigners. I was eagerly waiting for this holiday by the sea.
The sun shone like a golden plate. I wore my swimming suit and splashed into the sea. But the water was very cool. After that I swam under the sea to explore the wonderful sea creatures. When I came up to breathe some fresh air, I suddenly saw a big ship with passengers. Then I remembered about the ‘IORA Day’ ship ride.
After swimming, I went to make sandcastles in the sand. When I finished making it, my tummy wobbled saying that I was hungry. So I ate some fried fish and drank king coconut. After eating all that I felt butterflies were in my stomach. So I rested under the hot sun. Then my skin burned and I became very dark.
Suddenly, the sky was getting dark and then a heavy rain came pouring down. I quickly ran to find shelter. That’s how my holiday by the sea ended.
Seja Abeywickrama
Southlands College, Galle
10 – 12 years
IORA Day 2024
In 1997, Sri Lanka and some other parts of Asia, decided to organize something known as ‘IORA’. IORA stands for Indian Ocean Rim Association. It is an international organization of 23 states that border the Indian Ocean. The reason to create IORA Day was to improve sustainable impacts and balance developments of the IORA member states.
IORA Day is annually celebrated on March 7, alternatively in the member states, along with the 11 dialogue partners too. Our President, Ranil Wickremesinghe participated in the IORA Day 2024 held in Galle Face Green recently. This year’s theme focused on inculcating in children the importance of ocean conservation and sustainable practices to preserve the ocean for the future.
On this particular day people are educated about the principles of oceans. They work to clean up beaches by removing plastic and other waste. Schools encourage kids to bring about a sustainable Indian Ocean for future generations. The municipality of Colombo is also working intensively to conserve our ocean.
In conclusion, IORA Day helps us be aware of preserving the oceans for the future.
Aksharran Ketheeswaran
Gateway College, Colombo
13 – 15 years
A famous woman who has impressed me
A famous woman who has impressed me is J.K. Rowling. She is the author of the world-famous, multi-award winning Harry Potter books.
Joanne Rowling was born on July 31, 1965. Her sister, Dianne was born two years later. Joanne grew up surrounded by books as her parents loved reading. Joanne had wanted to become a writer since she was small. Joanne wrote her first book when she was six years old.
J.K. Rowling first had the idea for Harry Potter while delayed on a train travelling from Manchester to London’s King’s Cross in 1990. In the next five years she started planning out the story.
J.K. Rowling faced many challenges while writing ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’. Her mother died and she got divorced from her husband. She had a baby daughter named Jessica and it was hard for her to be a single parent. Despite this, Joanne continued writing in every spare moment she had. She even suffered from depression but that didn’t stop her.
J.K. Rowling sent the Harry Potter book to 12 publishers, all of whom rejected it. But she kept trying and her book was accepted for publication by Bloomsbury. Harry Potter soon became famous all over Britain. The next six books were published in the time period of 1998 – 2007.
J.K. Rowling, a girl who had a huge dream, worked hard and achieved her goal. The reason she impresses me is that she never gave up, no matter what obstacles came in her path. She worked hard to reach her aims and goals. She became a role model for children all over the world.
Sanadee Wickramasinghe
Sujatha Vidyalaya, Matara
