Teen 'book worms' at Book Fair

Ruwanthi Abeyakoon

Thousands of teens were in and out of the BMICH last week as the International book fair took off the ground on Saturday. There were more than 500 stalls offering a variety of valuable books at special discounts to all .

It was surprising to see crowds of teenagers walking in after school, carrying their heavy bags and spending hours in the stalls. They seem to uphold the phrase "reading maketh a full man" in spite of the advancement of the television, computer and Internet. Several teens expressed that they have been waiting for this opportunity.

"There are lots of books and a good selection. I love reading because it improves my knowledge a lot. I do a lot of references so I need books. They are like my friends," said Nisansala Boteju, 15, holding a bag full of books.

Amali Perera, 13, said that she uses Internet but at the same time uses books for her studies. " I bought a lot of books on Science. That is my favourite subject. I bought other work books too," she said.

Sachin Silva,16, complained saying that the stalls were crowded. " I need to read more because I'm sitting for my O\Ls this year. I like reading and won't neglect it even though I use the Internet for my work," he said.

Most of the teenagers were engrossed in selecting books with elders or friends. If you haven't visited the book fair yet, there are two days more to experience how valuable reading is!

SPM Girls:

Dazzle at 'sparkle evening'

Anushka Nanayakkara

St. Paul's, Milagiriya sparkled on September 13 evening as the school's 2006 A/L guild held its 'sparkle evening'.

A past pupil of the college, now the Deputy Director of the Education Department, Niroshi Perera was the guest of honour.

It was a truly promising evening filled with dazzling decorations, games, DJ music (provided by school students), a flashing dancing floor and not forgetting the biggest show of the evening crowning Ms. SPM.

Behind all these excitements and fun, the teenagers gave a thought to our soldiers and are planning to donate goods out of their profit of the "Sparkles" evening.

Head Girl Dahami Ranaweera and the two deputy head prefects Imaya Godapitiya and Chathuni Alahaperuma had different views of the social life and feeling towards being a teenager.

Dahami said being a teenager was very exciting and social life was a compulsory act in the present society.

Imaya said being a teenager is a blended feeling with challenges and enthusiasm.

She added that social life itself is a key to reach our goals. Chathuni, who shared hey way of thinking towards stepping into the society, said the society can be compared to a stage play with different characters.

"In that we may find impressive and touching roles, while at the same time it may lead into opposite characters which the society might disagree to accept.

It is once again a challenge. But out of the college experiences and advices this can be met with more confidence to choose the right kind of people in the society and walk in their path to make others aware of the doings," she said.

The main aim of this social evening was to build the communication with the college's past pupils.

The head girl conveyed her special thanks to the Principal, Deputy Principal and teachers for making this evening a success and leaving sparkling memories of a life time.

Pictures by Saman Sri Wedage

'Baden Powell Peak' at Himalaya

The World Scouts Movement with the concurrence of the Nepal Government has taken steps to name a 5,825 metre-high Himalayan peak as the 'Lord Baden Powell Peak' and the path leading to the peak as the 'Baden Powell Track'. This will mark the 100th anniversary of the Scouts Movement.

A team comprising international boy scouts will undertake an exploratory trek to the Himalayas from September 14 to 25 to celebrate the event.

Representing the Sri Lanka Scout Association, three scouts from Dharmaraja College, Kandy, Ajith Jayasekera, Chameera Chandrasena and Nalaka Hapuhinna left for Nepal to participate in this trek.

Jayasekera is a leader of the Dharmaraja Scouts Group and has climbed the Himalayas 14 times and he is appointed as the overall leader of all the scouts participating in this trek. The other two are Presidents' Scouts. Prior to their departure, they were presented the national flag at a ceremony at Lake View Park International Scouts Centre, Dharmaraja College. Lord Baden Powell had visited this centre on two occasions.

Chief Scouts Commissioner, H. S. Weerakoon and International Commissioner, Shantha K. Madurawe were the chief guests. Assistant Commissioner, Shiraz Sali and Dharmaraja College Principal, S. M. Keerthiratne were among the participants.

Readers' contributions:

Candles for soldiers

The sight he makes in the shadowy evening
through the lonely monuments, wets no ones eyes.
Lighting candles for the sake of a friend lost in the combat.
The sound his crutches make on the dusty path
through the silent tombstones, directs no ones ears.
despair in his heart at the fate he met in the combat.
The departure he makes in the darkest evening
at the gate of the graveyard, melts no ones heart.
No one else is lighting a single candle.
Because only he and the departed knew the tragedy of dying heroes in the combat.

H. C. Adhikariarachchi

St. Joseph's Balika M. V. Kegalle