Deforestation

Deforestation is the removal of forests. Deforestation takes place when land is needed for urban use.
Forests are cut down for firewood, for furniture or to clear the land for agriculture. This is a major problem all over the world. In the past, people used handsaws, axes and hand tools to clear away the forest and it took a long time. But now, modern machines are used and in one minute so many hectares of land can be cleared.

Deforestation is the cause for many problems like global warming, greenhouse effect and the extinction of animals and plants. The water cycle is also affected by deforestation. Trees extract ground water through their roots and release it to the atmosphere. When trees are cleared the trees no longer
evaporate away this water resulting in a very dry climate.

Deforestation causes great harm to biodiversity too. Forests are home to most of the plants and animals species in the earth. When we destroy forests, many species of plants and animals die. There are many ways to monitor deforestation. We can have satellites to measure the disappearance of forests. Deforestation can cause societies to collapse. Deforestation must stop.

Music

By Navoodya Weerakoon, (13 years) Pannipitiya

“Without music, life would be a mistake”. This quote was said by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzche about music. Many songs make people want to stand up and dance. This is also one reason why people like music. Another reason is, it is one way to express the artist’s feelings.

Nowadays, the influence of music is everywhere. Music can have a magical effect on moods and
memories. Music can make our moods change dramatically. Some songs can make people happy and some sad. Music means different things to different people.

There are different types of music that exist and come from time to time such as Latin music, Instrumental music etc. Some types of music that are popular today are rock, pop, hip-hop, rap, jazz and classical music. When talking about folk music, it has lost significance today except in a few countries such as Sri Lanka.

As you see, music makes our lives better. It increases the things we share both with ourselves and others. That is why music is so important to our lives.

Oliver Twist

By Fiona Solomon (11 years), Methodist College

Oliver Twist is a story about a little boy named Oliver, who faces many hardships from the time of his birth. He was born in a workhouse and his mother died at his birth. His father was not known.

Oliver grew up to be very pale and thin and was put into the poorhouse of the town when he was nine years old. Oliver was not paid for the work nor given enough food. He was punished for asking for more food and was sold to a coffin seller. Later, he fell into a lot of trouble!

He was treated very badly and everyone was harsh with him. He was lonely, beaten and was cared for by no one. He went through many bad situations and trials until he found a safe home and became a
successful man.

The author of this touching story is Charles Dickens. This story clearly shows us the life of children who are lonely, left out and weak, and how they are directed into bad ways by selfish adults. This story teaches us the importance and uniqueness of all children!

My father

By Ashnica Thiruchelvam (Grade 5), Hindu Ladies College, Wellawatte

My father’s name is K. Thiruchelvam. He is 45 years old. He is fair and smart. He is a
salesman. He is very good in sports. He is fond of reading books and newspapers. He loves to play cricket and badminton. He has a lot of work to do in the weekends. He buys me books and toys. He is a busy man. I like him very much and he likes me too.