Funday Times

One Sunday morning one of our neighbours, Mr.Jayantha Panditharatna came and told us that he was going to start cleaning a street with some others and he wanted to know whether we would join.

So, we went with him and started our work. It was really polluted and there were polythene bags everywhere. We divided ourselves into groups and set to work.

Some of us put the bags in a heap while some others burnt them. Some cut wild plants and weeds and the others swept the road.

While questioning some participants (who lived on that road), how it was so polluted, they said, "If one person is too lazy to go and throw their garbage into a proper garbage disposal area, then he (or she) throws it in front of another person's house. When others see this they also throw their garbage in front of that house. So, automatically that area becomes a garbage pit."

My sister and I couldn't burn garbage or cut weeds so we helped in other ways. We brought drinks and served them to all who were helping. At about one o'clock we decided that what we had done was enough for that day. By the time we had finished, there was a big difference on that road.

We went to some neighbouring houses and educated them not to pollute the area. Even people whom we didn't talk to, but were looking at us cleaning, said that they wouldn't pollute and thanked us. So, I guess we did a good deed that day and all the same, it was fun as well.

Lots of sweetmeats are made during the New Year season. A few of them are kavum, kokis, aasmi, aluva, aggala. For me, white milk rice also is a special New Year sweetmeat. Out of all, my favourite sweetmeats are white milk rice and kokis. White milk rice is made of white rice and coconut milk. Kokis is made of flour, coconut milk and sugar. Once the milk rice is made, my mother cuts it into different shapes. Kokis is also made in various shapes. Whatever the shape is, they are yummy. They are tasty. They are delicious. I gobble them up in no time.

My April holiday plan is to go to Nuwara Eliya with some of my father's friends. My best friend Gewin also is joining us. In Nuwara Eliya, we will spend two nights in a hotel. Our plan is to start the trip on April 14, soon after the main auspicious times are over. Definitely we will get late to reach Nuwara Eliya on that day. The following day will be the main day for our entertainments. On that day we hope to watch among other things, car races and horse races. I want to climb Piduruthalagala hill also during our stay in Nuwara Eliya. Visiting Haggala Gardens is another item on our agenda. Cool climate, beautiful flowers, huge mountains will certainly make me mad. I am determined to enjoy the trip thoroughly. Undoubtedly, I will do so because this is the first time in my whole life I go to Nuwara Eliya, which is one of the most fascinating places in Sri Lanka.

The majority of the people in Sri Lanka celebrate the Sinhala and Tamil New Year on a grand scale. This is regarded as one of the most important cultural and national festivals. This is a prosperous time for villagers, since the majority are farmers. The special bird that heralds the new year is the cuckoo bird. The Erabadu trees, full of red flowers can be seen. Before the new year my ma and grandma made kevum, kokis, atiraha and many sweets.

First there is the non-auspicious time. We stop all our work, make offerings and pay observance to monks. With the burst of crackers and the pealing of the temple bells, new year dawns. Secondly, grandma lights brass lamp. Mother lights the hearth at the auspicious time by looking at a direction specified by astrologers. She prepares milk rice.

We sit around the table with smiling faces. Grandma gives pieces of milk rice for all of us, wishing a prosperous period for our family. Then she transacts also. My sister and I commence our studies. After the new year's day, we go to the temple and Reverend Thero anoints the herbal oil for all of us, wishing a healthy and long life. We enjoy the swing and going to our relations' homes. We celebrate the new year peacefully and quietly.