The Blogger Q2 - English

The Greenslade school was full of children from slums, with a
lack of human qualities. Braithwaite, at the beginning, tried his
best to build up respect. In the classroom, he persuaded
students to use surnames with Mr and Miss. In the classroom,
he used to consider that they were stepping into a new society
as a young community. He guided his students to think that
the whole world is an abode that is not based on the colour of
the skin and the outer appearance.
In addition to Mr Braithwaite, the main character, Mr Florian,
the principal of the school was a person who appreciated the
independence and the freedom of students. He started
activities like giving a short break after lunch for the students’
rational development and presenting a comment of every
teacher by students once a week. Through his novel ideas, even
the modern teacher-pupil community can learn many lessons.
The character of Pamela of this novel is a fine example of the
emotional management of adolescents. Once she is tempted
to love her teacher, Braithwaite skillfully controls her emotions.
He falls in love with Gillian, a teacher of the same school
proving that complexion is not a barrier to love.
If simply said, this novel is based on human love with special
reference to complex themes such as colour bar and poverty.
This is a story where Braithwaite, the principal, and many more
changed the lives of a team of mischievous children through
love. He uses his masterpiece to criticize the meaningless
attitudes prevalent in so-called high societies bravely. He
genuinely loves a society, which considers his complexion a
problem, with no limitations.
In the conclusion of this novel, when Braithwaite says goodbye
to his dear students they offer him a gift. At the end of one
corner of the envelope, this note, “To sir with love” could be
seen.
This masterpiece clearly illustrates that the most supreme
human quality is love and who the real exemplary teacher is
through the main character, Mr Braithwaite. Love irrespective of
the colour bar because love has no colour.

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BRINGING HOME GOLD

By Kushlani Nagahawatta



The 30th of August 2021 marked a new dawn for Sri Lanka as Dinesh Priyantha Herath hit three birds in one
stone at the Tokyo Olympic stadium when he claimed gold, broke the world record and won Sri Lanka’s
first-ever gold medal in the Paralympic Games history.
Dinesh stole the show when he came up with his best throw of 67.79m to set a new world record in the
men’s F46 category. The record was previously held by India’s Devendra Jhajharia who had to settle for the
silver medal this year. Commenting on his win, Dinesh said “I am very happy because my main dream came
true. I have no words to describe the feeling”.
Dinesh was a former soldier who served in the Sri Lankan army until 2008, when three bullets severely
injured his left arm, resulting in his career at the end. It took him four years to recover, and he took to Para
sport in 2014 as a way of recreation. It was his wife who continuously boosted him throughout these trying
times of his life and she is the person Dinesh dedicates this gold medal to. This Army veteran’s remarkable
journey to the pinnacle of sporting glory consists of many successes and achievements including winning
the bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympics and the 2017 World Para Athletics Championship London, a
gold medal at the 2018 Asian Para Games Jakarta, and the silver at the 2019 World Para Athletics
Championship in Dubai.

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Difficult roads lead
to beautiful
destinations

Hours after Dinesh’s win, Dulan Kodithuwakku won the bronze medal for javelin throw in the F46
category. His throw was measured at a personal best of 65.61m. Kodithuwakku is a Corporal attached to
the Military Police of the Sri Lanka Army. It was indeed a proud moment as this was Sri Lanka’s second
medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, and the first time that Sri Lanka has won double medals in the
same event in the same year.
The 2020 Tokyo Paralympics was undoubtedly a defining event for our country as these heroes made
history and carved a new path for sport in Sri Lanka. They are truly an inspiration for all of us, and a
reminder that nothing can deter you from achieving success if you are willing to put in the hard work,
determination, and dedication into it.

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THE OCEAN IS NOT THE WORLD’S
TRASH CAN

By Kushlani Nagahawatta

I think there is no need for further descriptions about the 50% of the oxygen needed for humans is
ocean to us who live in a country surrounded by the produced by oceanic flora. The current pollution
ocean. But I think it is a matter to discuss that this small of the sea due to the negligent actions of the
island with a population of only 20 million has become human beings who have little or no sense of the
one of the leading countries in the world that resources available to the ocean is bound to
contributes to oceanic pollution. lead to many problems for future generations.
The ocean is the world’s largest aquatic ecosystem. What The biggest recent organic issue related to Sri
might not know is that a huge percentage of the Lanka is the incident involving the X-Press Pearl
biodiversity here has not yet been explored. Coral reefs, ship. Environmentalist Mr. Nayanaka Ranwella
dolphins and whales are the world’s largest group of defines this incident of the ship which caught
organisms who are attracting tourists. However, the fire for 13 days long and sank as “The funeral of
human effort in the world to preserve this species is by our sea.” The United Nations Organization has
no mean a worthwhile endeavor. warned that this could have a lasting impact on
the ocean community even more than 10 years
from now. As a result of this tragedy, 207 dead
bodies of turtles, 20 dead bodies of dolphins
and 7 dead bodies of whales were found
dumped on the beach. Also, the fact that this
happened during the turtle’s breeding season is
a sign of the problem getting worse.
As you may know, the great barrier reef is the
largest living creature in the world. But this
creature, which can be observed even from the
moon, is no longer alive. On March 15, 2019, it
was officially announced that the Great barrier
reef was completely dead. By then it had lived
twenty million years.

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The main reasons for the death of the great coral
reef have been cited as the global warming
caused by human activities and the breakdown
of its entire respiratory functions due to the
accumulation of microplastic particles on the
coral. Investigators say that coral reefs will be
completely extinct in 2030, Dr. Richard weavers
estimates that millions of species could become
extinct.
Although described through recent events,
marine pollution continues unabated to this day.
Chemical compounds such as nitrates emitted
from ships, microplastics and oil spills that leak
from cargo ships can also lead to oceanic
problems. Also, the destination of all the wastes
that man adds to rivers is always the ocean.
The main effect of these pollutants is the loss of
our marine biodiversity. Organisms that are not
yet identified can be extinct even before they
have explored. Extinction of oceanic plants
could be halving the world’s oxygen supply.

The corona pandemic is telling us the problems of
the oxygen crisis these days. All heavy metals and
industrial waste you release in the ocean are
consumed by the sea fish, Eventually those poisons
you release into the ocean will be your child’s food.
Contribute to protect the ocean as much as you can.
When you go to the beach, discipline yourself just to
leave a footprint and come back. It will be a blessing
to your future generation.

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MOTIVATION VS HABITS

By Ashan Kaveesha

Find your reason and motivation will follow to keep
you persevered on your habit

The alarm goes off, it’s “I will go to However, what if I told you there along.
war” by Tessa Thompson that’s lies another way in waking up Once again you are in bed but
playing. Surely this song with the from bed by reprogramming your this time when the alarm goes
scene from Creed 2 playing on mind to not think twice when off, you take a mental count “1, 2,
your mind is enough for you to confronted with a difficult task at 3” and your body engages and
get yourself out of bed, starting hand but to “just do it”, as Shia you’re up from bed. Next “1, 2, 3”
your day. But what happens on LaBeouf says. Consistent practice and you’re making your bed, next
days when you’re at your lowest? will train your mind to let go of count and you draw the curtains;
When you’re badly in need of a the dreadful habit of sunshine on your face making
break, not having the state of procrastination as you are now you smile. onto a soft pillow,
mind to pull off your schedule. replacing your less preferred valuing your phone over your
Without snoozing the alarm habit with a useful one becoming inner thoughts.
gifting yourself regrettable a better version of yourself. Now if Overall, to develop a beneficial
minutes of sleep you could you are fortunate, you may come habit is no stroll in the park, once
motivate yourself in that very across a keystone habit that helps again taking us back to
moment. Visualize your long-term one explore many other good motivation where we need to
goal or better a shorter one habits while on their path of motivate ourselves to continue
picturing your day’s work going developing the initial habit. This struggling on our path of choice.
off track if you’re to settle within shows for example when you
the comforts of your sheets. Or choose to meditate daily for Valuing your
else you could get annoyed at about 30 minutes; you may
yourself, anger flowing through notice how calm, developed your hustle in life over
your veins forcing you out of bed, mind is and how collected your
drawing the curtains almost thoughts are, this, in turn, may acts of escapism
pulling it right off the pole keep you vigilant about your short
screaming to yourself, “I’m a Greek temper, furthermore, you can may allow you to
god conquering my day.” Now, take more cold showers, exercise
this would seem desirable if frequently and even get your full shape your
you’re acting in a Hollywood night’s sleep. Simply said with a
movie that is. keystone habit, other habits tag present towards

your desired

future.

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10 TRICKS ON
BAKING

By Bhakthi Jayathilake

Home baking is fun and a new THINK RECIPES AS MAKE SURE YOUR
hobby to learn that makes people
happy. It doesn’t matter whether TEMPLATES INGREDIENTS ARE AT THE
you are a newbie or just don’t
know where you need to start. As Everyone can bake as per their PROPER TEMPERATURE
a home baker you don’t need to
be a professional baker. There are own ideas, tips, and tricks. All you The temperature always does
tips and tricks that you can use in
home baking with confidence. have to do is know the basic matter even in science. If your
Let’s see those tips that everyone
needs to know in home baking. things. When you plan on baking recipe mentions for your

something first carefully go ingredients to be cool, warm,

through the recipe you need to chilled or room temperature let it.

bake. After identifying the specific When the recipe is not

things of the recipe, you can use it specifically mentioned, let it go

as a template for endless with room temperature.

creativity in flavor combinations.

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KNOW TO MEASURE DRY TAKE YOUR TIME TRY ON WAX PAPER TO
INGREDIENTS AND LIQUID Don’t be stressed and take your DECORATE
INGREDIENTS time. Home baking is an art in Most of the bakers need to
These are two different measuring which you need to be in the right decorate their own cakes in their
techniques. Scoop the batter into state of mind. And be familiar and own way. To decorate you can cut
your measuring cup and tap it work calmly with the recipe. the wax paper according to the
across the surface with a knife to size you need and decorate and
level it out when baking SALT IS AN IMPORTANT freeze it. Once the decorations
something like pancakes, which INGREDIENT IN BAKING and/or lettering have frozen,
require a lot of dry ingredients. All baking recipes include salt. Salt carefully pull them away from the
And when it comes to liquid is one of the main ingredients used paper and set them on the cake.
ingredients like eggs, water fills a to control the taste. However, you
transparent measuring cup need to control the level of salt BETTER USE COOKING
halfway with the ingredients and according to the recipe specified.
sets it on a flat table at eye level. In yeast bread, salt also helps to SPRAY FOR STICKY
strengthen the gluten structure
BE PREPARED and limit the rate of fermentation. INGREDIENTS
You always need to be prepared
before getting started. You need DON’T OVERMIX THINGS When you cook some sticky
to make sure you have read the When you mix the ingredients
recipe and understand the make sure you are not overmixing ingredients, it is better if you can
recipes such as the ingredients them. If you overmix the batter it
you need, temperature, and other can cause it to become rough. spray some oil before baking
things like gadgets you need for
the recipe. Don’t wait until the last MAKE YOUR OWN DIE- them. Such as cooking eggs.
minute to collect the gadgets. Be PIPING BAG
prepared then you can work It doesn’t matter whether you have
faster. quality or the best gadgets. You
only need some essential cooking
tools to get started. If not, you can
make your own things such as a
die-piping bag.

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THE ROAD TO A SAFER FUTURE

By Sheikha Hanna

Before we begin, I want you to According to the world, your land ground but dreaming, trying to
picture this scenario. It may take a is named Syria. Everything reach high into the clouds. With
while, but it is a thought worth appears to be perfect, and a books in your hand and passion
questioning. relieved smile almost escapes erupting in your heart, you walk in
You wake up in the morning, the your lips when the unthinkable peace, when a sweaty hand
sunlight’s intense warmth occurs. A blast erupts in your ears, clamps over your mouth. Your
brushing against your cheek and so loud that it startles your belongings are scrambled across
you feel a sense of comfort that siblings. You rush outside, but it is the ground, and all you can do is
brightens your mood. You turn too late, as smoke and dust lurk in nothing but hear your own sobs
and find your sisters and brothers every corner of your sight, and and screams, as you try to break
lying next to you, fondled in a everything is turning black, black- free. At that moment, you are
deep sleep, and they look black-black. unaware of what to do, while your
beautifully composed. You Or imagine yourself, a girl happily body is whisked away to God-
wonder when they last slept strolling among the plains of your knows-where, and you quiver
peacefully. neighbourhood, feet on the intensely that you cannot control
yourself. That innocence, which
you had guarded for thirteen
years, was stolen by someone
whose empty mind is in the
devil’s workshop.
I know, it is a rather intense
moment to picture inside your
head, and deep down, you are
immensely grateful that you are
here, sitting on your favourite
couch instead, and silently
reading this article, but the above
scenarios aren’t just scenarios.
These plots happen in the real
world every day, every minute,
and we can do nothing to help
them.

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You might start to question If the world joined hands to stop
everyone’s freedom and safety out war and greed, we could hope for a
there, especially your loved ones. better, safer future, for ourselves,
This calls into question everyone’s our parents, our children, our
safety in this world, for us and generations to come. We could be
future generations. As a young invincible. So, the least thing we
adult, who can guarantee your can do is hope, have faith, help and
safety when you have no idea of love one another. These words may
the disastrous future that awaits not have an impact on you, but
you? Our freedom vanishes due to they could make a difference if you
the misfortunes of corruption and make a simple yet significant effort,
politics in the world, but bravery and hope for a better, safer future.
must jump ahead of fear, forcing
our way into the outside world.
The fact is, no one actually gives a
second thought about the
circumstances that follow safety
unless they experience them
themselves, or their loved ones. It
is that time when they express
their wrath to the world, and
when the rest of the world does
not acknowledge their sufferings,
they drown in a sea of
despondence, and it can be
extremely frightening.
Everyone needs peace. Everyone
deserves peace. As human beings,
the only thing we can help to
make is a safer future, to be smart
and face any situation that comes
ahead of us, to spread awareness,
help those in need, be kind and
gentle, and fearless.

CAN WE GUARANTEE THAT THE WORLD WE ARE LIVING IN
IS A SAFE PLACE?

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ALIGNING CHAKRAS WITH
SINGIING BOWL MEDITATION

By Amasha Vidamini

The mind and body are great induces positive affirmations and and realigning them. Chakra
allies. As the branch cannot bear deep relaxation, giving a great balancing with singing bowls will
fruit without being attached to sense of well-being. improve blood circulation, ease
the vein, the body cannot survive The history of Tibetan singing the metal blockages (low self-
without a strong mind. A mind bowl meditation dates back to esteem, worries, fear, anger,
weary of anxiety, tension, fear, and 4000BC, typically used in spiritual anxiety, depression, insomnia) and
stress will result in poor health ceremonies by Tibetan monks. let the energy flow through the
conditions. Meditation is one These bowls are not simply metal body rejuvenating neurons and
potential way of alleviating this bowls but are used in sound cells while lifting the human mind
problem. We believe meditation therapy across the globe. The into the state of deep relaxation.
requires a great deal of discipline frequencies the bowls emit when Try balancing chakras with
and patience, which with the the wooden mallets are rotated Tibetan singing bowls at your
modern lifestyle we find it a bit around the rim of the bowls will home. Find a place with fewer
harder to find time for. However, resonate with the energy centers disturbances and soft light. Start
singing bowl meditation does not in our body, also known as by relaxing your body; lie
require a lot of time, patience, or chakras, realigning them and comfortably and take deep
discipline. Simply lying and healing the body. breaths. Once you have eased
listening to the unique affirmative According to Particle – wave your body, put on your earbuds,
tone of Tibetan singing bowls durability in quantum mechanism and play the Tibetan singing bowl
matter has particle properties and music (available on YouTube).
wave properties as well. Since the Focus on the first chakra, the root
human body is made from chakra. Once you feel the sense of
matters atoms in our cells release energy flowing, move to the next
waves with different frequencies. chakra, repeat the process, and
Scientists have found that the keep the energy flowing until you
waves formed by singing bowls reach the highest chakra, the
are identical to the alpha waves crown chakra. While meditating,
produced by the brain in the state whatever the thoughts or
of meditation. The sound emotions that drift into your
emanates from Tibetan singing mind, let them come, but do not
bowls flowing through the body chase after them too much. Let
while resonating with the chakras them come and fade away.

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THE LAST HALLOWEEN


By Sheikha Hanna

How could they, when it’s the 21st century and the last The walls were turning out to be mouldy with
thing you can do as a conscious haunted mansion is make fungi that never existed; the creaking
some absolutely spooky noise that would creep out a floorboards were on the verge of being crashed
bunch of oldies, but the kids wouldn’t even move an inch, apart, and the walls kept groaning in languor. It
probably stare and make some hysterical noise. Of course, was only a matter of time before some
they’d go out trick or treating in their bedazzling costumes authorities arrived with their heavy machines
as Harry Potter or Chucky. Boy, these Generation Z kids and forks, wiping off its existence. It seemed as
were tough as an old Nokia phone.It’s a shame, actually, if another Halloween would pass by, simply
that kids these days are indestructible in their own way, forgotten.
and wouldn’t believe the crap of being haunted for the Until now.The grass on the patio of the garden
rest of their lives by a haunted mansion. The mansion was becomes agitated, and an eerie feeling buzzes
falling and ripping itself due to the fact that it had no through the mansion, and it instantly knows
purpose anymore. Every year, during Halloween, a group of that they’ve been graced by someone’s
kids and teenagers would walk past the mansion but presence. The walls are tense, and the windows
never bother to explore the hidden magic beneath it that creak and groan at their presence – something
would probably scare their guts out: they were too focused was wrong. The mansion had had a variety of
on winning the costume contest and taking meaningless human visitors over the years, from the
snaps of themselves on some mystifying virtual object. introverted to the audacious, but none of them
It was the 100th Halloween night of being a haunted compared to what it was feeling now: murder
mansion on this godforsaken planet, and the mansion was was lurking around one of these humans, and
becoming self-conscious about its ability to scare, and it the mansion could target it to the last person
needed attention. Any form of attention was good. walking in the bunch – the one with an
unusually hideous nose and a gleam in his
eye.One by one, they walk into the pathway,
and the mansion starts to flicker at what’s left
of their hall lights, trying to stir them away. Run!
The mansion tries to convey, and even though
it crashes a bunch of window panes on the
rooftop or smashes a floorboard, it wouldn’t
lure them away. Years of trying to tempt people
to enter the mansion, but it never knew that it
had to get them away from it as soon as
possible.

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With crooked teeth and a dagger in its back pocket, that one human stare at the gang – it was only a matter
of time before they entered the mansion.
Once the human closes the door of the mansion when everybody else gets in, and that’s when his smile
grows wider. There is a slash, and one person falls down with a hiccupped gasp to the rusty floorboard,
choking on her own blood, staining the old floorboard in a blood-red stain. There is a silence, and the
mansion knows it’s too late.
And then, the screaming begins.There is chaos as the second body falls down, and now the mansion is
enraged. Not in my mansion, you murderer! The mansion growls as two more bodies fall to their deaths, each
slashed by the sharp dagger of the murderer. Not in this house, where there were happy screams and thrills
of children waiting to have the spookiest experiences of their lives. No, the human wasn’t going to get away
with it. The rest of the gang was too shocked to make a move, but then the mansion knew it was time to
unleash the wrath that it had never unleashed before. It slams its doors shut and melds them with the walls
until they become rock solid. If this human was going to get away with it, then the mansion knows it’s time
to become the monster that it’s supposed to be.
It was time to give this human a taste of his own medicine.

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INTRODUCTION TO

PHOTOGRAPHY

AND PHOTO EDITING

By Avishka Uvindu



For each photographer, the word “photography” would The lens aperture portrays as a ‘pupil’ that
may open and close in order to allow in a
mean something slightly different. photography can be varied amount of lights. ISO; even though it
thought of as two pursuits; technically, it’s the science of appears a little more intricate, is equivalent
setting up the camera and the recording medium to take to the sensitivity of film for taking images in
images in a controlled way and creatively, it’s the art of various lighting circumstances. In post-
capturing light with a camera to create an image. There production, this is equivalent to brightening
are numerous types of photography, such as wildlife, or darkening a photo.Once you’ve learned
macro, documentary, architectural, travel and food your camera, exposure fundamentals, and
photography.. how to compose a stunning photo, it’s time
In order to understand photography, comprehension to brush up on a few photo editing basics to
regarding lenses is essential since the lens is a crucial complete your artistic vision. Let’s dive in,
component of any camera. The lens’ job is to bend RAW and JPG are the two most common
inbound light beams into a crisp image on the recording image capture formats offered by most
media. Lenses are more important than any other piece of cameras. When you shoot in JPEG, you allow
equipment since they affect what kinds of images you can the camera the ability to process the image.
take. All you need is a camera to begin capturing images,
which can range from a simple smartphone to a DSLR or
mirrorless camera. The rest of your photography gear will
be determined by your needs. Pertaining to the
preliminaries of the camera settings, shutter speed,
aperture & ISO are the most significant options. The
brightness of the photo is controlled via these but in
several ways. The amount of time the camera sensor is
exposed during capturing of a photo is known as shutter
speed.

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To successfully make edits it’s important to shoot in raw format. The following are the essential steps in
photo editing; crop the images to clean them up, adjust the white balance, adjust exposure and contrast,
adjust the colour vibrancy & saturation and sharpen the images. These should be available even in simple
editing programs. Advanced editing software will allow you to perform more complex editing. After you’ve
done all of the editing finalize and share the photos.

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We have always heard people EFFECTIVE
COMMUNICATION
mentioning, “Under any
By Krishela Joshep
circumstances the way you

communicate matters”. Have you

ever thought about why

communication plays such an

important role in human life? It’s

because communication turns

out to be the only way to convey

the feelings, emotions, opinions,

and ideas of a particular Now let’s dive into the Conflicts turn out to be the
effective
individual with other people. So, significance of prominent reason for many

communication gifts our communication, relationships to face dead ends.

distinctiveness from the abiotic Using effective communication,

things present in our HELPS TO CREATE NEW prevent conflicts from occurring

surroundings. ASSOCIATIONS AND thereby helping prevailing

If communication is such a huge STRENGTHENS THE EXISTING relationships to last longer. In

deal, then this brings us to RELATIONSHIPS addition, effective

another question, “what would be Whether it’s personal or communication also fosters

the right way to communicate?” professional life, being attentive to mutual respect and trust which

With the aim of finding the people and responding with helps in building new

answer to this doubt, let’s focus appropriate replies, keep conflicts friendships.

on effective communication. at the doorstep.

For the purpose of initiating and

implementing effective

communication, we should first

fully understand its context.

Effective communication stands

for the ability to convey

information in an effective way. If

the meaning is made simple, it’s

all about exchanging the

information in the best way

possible, so that the receiver

understands the message without

facing any puzzlement.

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IMPROVES TEAMWORK MINIMIZES ERROR
In order for teamwork to become successful, When implementing effective communication,
the team should possess several elements. the message is conveyed to the receiver in the
One such element is an individual or group of best possible way. This helps the receiver to
members within the team who can grasp the whole idea behind the conversation.
communicate effectively. When a group is Whereby effective communication ensures that
composed of members who are effective the information was not passed on to the
communicators, the tasks or messages receiver in bits and pieces. As the recipient can
conveyed within the group possess more comprehend the details of the conversation,
clarity. When there is transparency within a chances for errors to occur is the bare minimum.
team, it builds up trust among the team The above-stated factors prove why effective
members thereby improving the teamwork. communication is the new strategy to claim
success. As well as it also helps in answering the
PROVIDES SELF CONFIDENCE AND question put forward earlier, it turns out effective
ENHANCE SELF SATISFACTION communication is the right way to
When you are capable of conveying the communicate. From onwards whenever you
message efficiently, it grabs people’s initiate a conversation – Show red light to
attention. Genuinely others would love to ineffectual communication and give a green
communicate with you. This provides you signal to effective communication.
with self-confidence. As self-confidence and
self-satisfaction are positively correlated, once
you start to feel confident about the way you
communicate, you begin to be more satisfied
with yourself.

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Opportunities are a blessing to showcase one’s ENGAGE TO
potentials and a way of grabbing more chances in the
future to interact and expose to the world. It is not easy ELEVATE
to achieve success in life. “If there is a hill to climb, do
not think that waiting will make it smaller.” It is By Disara Abeywickrama

important to face challenges in life, irrespective of their
dreadfulness. Facing challenges will make you If we look at great personalities like Muniba
stronger. Being an introvert will not assist anyone to
climb up the ladder of success because the individual Mazari, Lizzie Velasquez, and Ophrah Winfrey. They
is hesitant of going out of his comfort zone. Staying in
the comfort zone restricts one’s opportunities, skills, underwent a lot of problems, hardships in life, but
and potentials. It is indeed hard to step into the
learning zone and explore new avenues to broaden they did not give up at any point in life. Muniba
the spectrum of knowledge. However, it is
engagement that is the key to success. If you do not try Mazari lost almost everything in her life after the
or make an effort in life, how are you going to elevate
yourself to the next level? tragic accident. However, she stood up again and

Life is very short and it is a matter of commitment, today she is a motivational speaker although she is
dedication, and perseverance. All of us have aspirations
in life, but the majority do not work to make them in a wheelchair. Similarly, Lizzie Velasquez and
come true. Opportunities may not come to your
doorstep, instead, you may have to seek them. Victory Oprah Winfrey challenged people’s opinions and
is not essential every time. It is also just an outcome of
hard work. Failure teaches thousands of lessons that amidst all the negative comments on their
victory cannot teach us. Hence, it is important to
accept failure, defeat just as a victory and ponder on physical appearance and beauty, they went
your weaknesses. If you do a proper analysis of your
failures and weaknesses, you will be able to discover forward. If they did not engage in their work with
the hidden champion within you. For instance, try to
recall the lockdown diaries and the things you did enthusiasm and dedication, would they have been
during that time. There come hard times in life, but
amidst all the hardships we should look for new ways able to claim success in life? Therefore,
and methods to engage in work.
engagement is the secret to success. It will take

you to the zenith of success. Nay Sayers will try to

drag you down and demotivate, but if any

individual possesses courage and dedication,

anything can be done successfully.

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The journey of life is rough, painful, and touring. It is not a marathon. No matter how slow you are in life,
but what is necessary and important is your attitude and making sure you keep going on the journey. If
you think positively and are truly committed to your life goals, it will enable you to achieve success. Be
unique and think differently. Thus, it will add more colour and beauty to your identity. If your life is an art,
it is you who should select the matching colours to it. By doing so, you can make it a masterpiece that
the whole world will admire.

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AN INSIGHT INTO LIFE

By Easara Weerasinghe

For those who haven’t watched and other people around you, disappointment that gives you
Marvel, below is Thanos, a villain the ways to move forward. and
who found the power to bend the fundamentally it seems like our both ways are hard, certain
universe at his will but as the story skillsets need to be practiced
progresses not everything goes lives are nothing but one huge daily, and wrapping your mind
according to his will, the perfect around things won’t happen in a
plans of his fail and then he gets expectation of everything and day unless you have a clear
disappointed unbiased perspective towards
Every living being on earth is born nothing. what you hold dear.
out of an expectation, it could be That’s just the theory of
an expectation that’s so simple as Disappointment on the other disappointment In a
survival of their kind. Combine Mathematical way I disregarded
human imagination to that you hand starts with every the human mind and feelings,
can have thousands of wishes and everything in
expectations within life about you expectation, every single between when you add wishes

expectation out there has the

inevitable possibility of

disappointment. In life it’s either

about the skillset you mastered, to

avoid the possibility of

disappointment or the mindset

you created to accept the

70 the blogger

and feelings to your expectation study there’s a better chance you man who expects nothing, for he
your wish will sustain your will pass your exam if you have shall never be disappointed” but
expectation in ways you can’t see more self-confidence in yourself the thing is that humans are
in reality or 1%-10% chance of there’s a better chance your crush programmed in a way to have
happening ( I’m leaving that will like you but it’s not 100% never hope regardless the situation it
number because in a way the is, so just like in a mathematical has helped us to evolve and
world has its magic ), hence why survive in a way but since human
you will come up with ways to ∴equation, you need both Skillset are very conscious animals we
hold on to the wish of passing can bypass that biggest examples
and getting A’s on the exams that and the Mindset to have better being humans are the only being
you haven’t studied at all or to the chances and to move on to better capable of taking their own lives
crush that you feel like you have things in life. when all hope seems lost, so it
no chance with but like I said These are just examples your seems like hope is an essential
there’s the luck of 10%, Now let’s situation could differ vastly but the element of survival
add the Skillset and Mindset I said idea is the same develop both the
above in above scenarios you can skillset and mindset while you are
study and develop your skills to be going further in life and how you
better at your studies, you can use them could differ as well either
approach the crush with more you can 100% rely on your skills or
self-confidence of yourself. Or if your mindset or both at the same
we add the mindset, you can time but relying on the luck of 10%
understand that you didn’t study is something you should not do all
at all so hence why you failed to the time there are somethings that
move on to try again and in the you can’t control, better leave them
other scenario you can try to that but the things you can
understanding that not everyone control don’t leave them to the
will like you in life or go according 10% when you know you can
to your idea. increase your chances.
There’s a limitation in skillset So if the expectation is the root of
which is, it will only increase your disappointment why can’t we just
chances, not the 100% if you have no expectations that would
be problem solved right like
alexander pope says “Blessed the

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CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

By Thanushi Thilakarathne

world. The character Santa

symbolizes St. Nicholas who was

giving gifts to the poor children in

the past. the character of Santa

Claus, walks out the door at

Christmas and shares the gift of

crops with the little ones and

spread the happiness of

Christmas into little hearts. They

sing Christmas carols and share

the joy of Christmas around the

world. And they share special

seasonal food items with

everyone.

But we should not celebrate

Christmas just on December 25th.

Shouldn’t we carry the message of

The beautiful December starts regardless of caste or creed. humanity that Jesus gave to the
Even he did not hate the people
with the “jingle bells” song for who tried to put him to death. world throughout our lives?
Christians celebrate Christmas by
Christmas. Christmas is a Holy day singing Christmas carols and “Love your neighbour.”
receiving blessings from the
for Christians. Devotees around church. Without any deviation “Let love be without hypocrisy.
among poor and rich people, they
the world celebrate Christmas share their happiness by giving Abhor that which is evil, and cling
gifts to everyone they can. They
25th of December, as a also make Christmas trees and to that which is good.”
decorations to symbolize the birth
celebration of the birth of Jesus. of their Master. Santa is an Don’t thousands of such Bible
unforgettable character when
Also, people around the world delivering Christmas presents to texts teach us great lessons about
millions of children around the
celebrate Christmas as a cultural life? Keep the Christmas messages

festival. Love and peace are at the of love in your hearts. Do not hate.

core of Christmas. Carrying the Keep the peace. Forgive the

message of love, Jesus was born in mistakes. Learn equality.

Bethlehem to the Virgin Mary and Introduce the lesson of love, the

taught the world the lesson of true meaning of Christmas, into

humanity. Jesus spread little hearts in the coming

compassion and love for all Christmas. It will create a world

people full of love without revenge.

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1O PLACES TO VISIT BEFORE YOU
DIE!

By Harsha Kariyawasam

Before we begin, let’s imagine a simultaneously yours. If someone This is continuously on tourist
fruitful vacation when you’re flying asked me “What’s on your bucket attention throughout the year, as
hundreds and thousands of miles list?”, I’ll surely say “Everywhere”. it features a variety of flowering
to lay on a gorgeous beach in Bali The only catch is there’s never trees which provide a unique look
or just a few hours when you are enough time to visit them all. So, I to the garden, for every season. In
taking a short drive to go leaf- would like to narrow down my all the winter, it’s draped in a
peeping. When you’re at the list and share it with you guys, powdery blanket of snow and the
doorstep with your luggage, your encouraging you to achieve these spring that’s abundant with a
loved ones will dearly tell you, destinations to enjoy their endless canopy of cottony pink cherry
“Just have fun!” and “Post a lot on beauty. blossoms. In the summer, there is
Instagram!” in the same breath. Hurry up! Here we leave for our another set for flowering trees
That means they exactly want to imaginary tour! But just a few and a lot of greenery as well. In
follow along on your incredible words before getting started! “Go the autumns, it’s the time of fall
adventures. Once you’re at your safe, move safe, stay safe, leave colours by cherry and maple
destination, you’ll collect the safe and then back safe; as your trees. One of Kenrokuen Garden’s
limitless memories and keep destinations are extremely most stunning attractions is its
posting them in just a wrinkling addictive” large artificial pond called
time. But did you know? Since Kasumigaike. Exactly, Kanazawa
then your loved ones are updating KENROKUEN, KANAZAVA - is an ideal place to sip a cup of
their travelling bucket list tea staying in a serene view of the
JAPAN mossed rocks and emerald
ponds.
Kanazawa is justifiably classified
MAUI – HAWAII
as one of Japan’s “three most According to my dream list, this
deserves a top rank. This is the
beautiful landscape gardens”. The second-largest Hawaiian island
and has a lush tropical beach on
Maeda family, who ruled the Kaga Maui. It is looking forward for the
visitors to offer a wide range of
Domain maintained the garden experiences includes surfing,

from generation to generation. As

the word Kenrokuen means, it is a

“Garden of the Six Sublimities”, as

spaciousness, seclusion,

artificiality, antiquity, abundant

water and broad views.

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enjoying a meal on the beach at a ZHANGYE DANXIA view of Palea volcano, Nea
five-star luxury resort in Wailea, (RAINBOW MOUNTAINS) – Kameni, and the island of
riding a horse across a dormant CHINA Thirassia, which located travellers’
volcano in Haleakala National travellers on a cliff. This is best
Park, or hiking through a Zhangye Danxia National known for breathtaking sunset
rainforest in the West Maui views, charming you with the
Mountains. Also, this destination is Geological Park is in the eastern beautiful combination of nature
well-known for the Maui and architecture. Oia is
Snorkeling Tour, which presents foothills of the Qilian Mountains in welcoming you to please with its
you with the greatest opportunity traditional stone houses lining
of watching Humpback whales the narrow streets, breathtaking
and swimming with the most blue-domed churches, and
peaceful and beautiful sea turtles. sunbaked verandas. Most visitors
You can enjoy the amazing enjoy its quaint beauty by slowly
natural scenery, which is truly one exploring its narrow streets,
of the most beautiful islands in collecting the magical views of
the world. the architecture.

Gansu Province, China. This is

especially well-known for a

spectacular Danxia/red cloud

landform area, which is truly a

masterpiece of nature. The

colourful mountain ridges remind

us an overturned palette from

heaven. The sceneries of red rocky

outcrops resemble weird and

wonderful shapes like castles,

cones, humans, animals and

creatures. Their peaks peeping

through the mist and clouds,

produce mirage-like scenery of

fantastic mountains and pavilions.

ORA, SANTORINI – GREECE
Oia is the most popular and
the most beautiful of all the
picturesque villages of the
Greek island of Santorini.
That’s having a spectacular

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CAPPADOCIA – TURKEY belongs on another planet. This is features – fast alpine rivers, a
Cappadocia is an extremely
attractive region in central Turkey formed when several prehistoric simmering volcano displaying its
famous for its fairytale scenery,
cave dwellings, remarkable rock lakes dried up 25,000 – 10,000 power in gushing geysers and hot
formations and, of course, the
hundreds of hot air balloons that years ago, leaving behind springs, deep canyons, dense
soar in the sky during sunrise
mornings. As well, there is so hexagonal patterns of salt on the ancient forests, snow-covered
much awesome hiking in
Cappadocia, which takes more otherwise featureless surface. In mountaintops, breathtaking
than a week to reach all diverse
hiking trails. The Cappadocia hot the rainy seasons, nearby lakes start vistas, and magnificent trails. As
balloons are fast-ranking on the
very top of travelers’ bucket list, overflowing remaining a thin layer well, it has become the home for
because of the cool fairytale
related adventure. Except this you of water on this large surface, various species of bears, elk,
have a lot to enjoy in Cappadocia,
including the Red and Rose valley making it a reflexive mirror and this wolves, bison, and antelopes. This
hikes, Uchisar castle and Goreme
open-air museum. Lover’s Hill and is the time when you can see is not only a place to come and
Love valley too is dearly looking
forward to their loving travelers. dreamlike photos. It’s have fun, it is a precious national

breathtakingly magical to stay treasure.

there enjoying this rare scenario

and you will get the opportunity if

you plan to go there in wet

seasons.

BLUE LAGOON – ICELAND

This is a rare geothermal spa in

Iceland located between

Reykjavik and Keflavik

YELLOW STONE NATIONAL International Airport in the heart
PARK – THE USA
This is considered the oldest of a lava field on the Reykjanes
national park in the world,
consisting of 3,500 square miles of Peninsula. The Blue lagoon is
wild. It’s holding its untamed
beauty left aside for the enjoyment exactly a bizarre sight with its
of humankind, but also its
protection. This consists of milky-white quiet waters. It is a
spectacular and diverse natural
man-made place and fed by

SALAR DE UYUNI – BOLIVIA water from a nearby geothermal
This is the world’s largest salt flat,
located in the Daniel Campos power plant called Svartsengi,
Province of Bolivia, looks like it
Actually, the water that comes to

the spa; is channeled from of

the blogger 75

travellers and listsellers lists water from the Great Lakes broke giant mountains.
ground near a lava flow, used to through the Niagara Escarpment This region is pretty matching to
run turbines and generate on the way to the Atlantic Ocean. the Switzerland of our
electricity, and then the hot water This is truly a popular tourist imagination in the fairytales of
and steam pass through a heat destination for honeymooners and our childhood. It includes lavishly
exchanger and provide hot water families. Also, this is an ideal carved chalets, carriages drawn
for a city water heating system. adventure for the daredevils of all by horses in full feathered
After that, the water is fed into the kinds, from those who went down headdresses, a busy village
Blue lagoon for medicinal and the falls in a barrel to those who square where all the village
recreational purposes for beauty stretched a wire over the falls and business is conducted, and richly
and relaxation. Bathing in the walked across it. The falls have painted emblems and panels on
Blue lagoon is beneficial for become an attractive theme for all of Appenzell’s buildings. The
certain skin conditions, as the hundreds of artists to create villagers are always in a pleasing
water is rich in silica, sulfur, and wonderful art and its magnificent company at a festival, a concert,
other minerals. In that case, this is beauty and the majesty of its wedding, or celebration. The
a place where you can get both nature has won the best top ranks travelers are invited there by
mental and physical relaxation in many bucket lists. endless hiking trails that turn into
from the same point. magical cross-country trails when
the winter covers all in Apentell
with its white blankets.

NIAGARA FALLS – CANADA APPENZELL – SWITZERLAND
This is a combination of three This travel destination can be
massive waterfalls which is best considered as a reflection of the
known as the horseshoe falls. It is Swiss tradition. It is quite similar to
dedicated to separating Canada a rural world where time has
and the United States. The falls stopped, where culture and
are located on the Niagara River tradition are celebrated, and where
and they were formed at the end the charming landscape of rolling
of the last ice age when the green hills full of plump cows is
guarded by the majestic class of

76 the blogger

20 Questions

with

Channuka Devnindu

by Suwani Nethmani Hettiarachchi

the blogger 77

1) Where did you grow up and 3) What aspirations did you have
what was your life like growing as a child and now as an adult?
up? What are you up to currently?
Sadly most of us come to realization of what we
Okay so I was born and bred in Galle, my life really wanna be after we do our ALs or when we start
was pretty much all about music growing up, uni. The first few months in ALs be like okay I'm
singing at home, singing in the school choir. gonna be an engineer /doctor
I’m currently an undergraduate at SLIIT, while Then when we come home after the exam, “pass
doing that, I’m working on some of my wunoth athi”
original music as well So we all must have gone through this, y’all
remember how your teachers asked who you want
2) How was your school life? What to become when you grow up? When we were in
was your most embarrassing & grade 4 or 5? So literally had no idea what I would
favourite memory at school? be, I just said I want be an engineer just because
every other kid in the class wanted to be either a
I used to hate schooling, but doctor or an engineer, it never felt right for me tho,
eventually, with all the memories and but when was like 13 I realized music is what I love
friends I’ve met throughout I’m and it is what I wanna do, so here I am still following
missing it every day now, school life that same dream!
was fun! So the most embarrassing
memory would be getting scolded by 4) When did you start
the science teacher in front my mom your love for
in the parents meeting (that music and singing?

was for not being in It’s not that easy to be stable in the
the class most of the industry especially in Sri Lanka, so it’s
time, nothing else) always 50% of luck too, there are days I
and the favorite almost gave up, so the most challenging
memory is ditching part is to sustain in what you do
classes with friends,
always

78 the blogger

5) What was the turning point that 8) Who's your role model in your music
made you who you are today? career?
Who has been your biggest
support? I have a few, Michael Jackson, Ed Sheeran and
Shawn Mendes

I refer to this turning point as the 9) If you could collaborate with a
breakthrough in the music industry, I don’t singer in Sri Lanka, who would it be?
think I’ve got it yet. But The Voice Sri Lanka
made a huge impact on it. I think I’m getting Definitely Sanuka!
closer everyday, so The Voice Sri Lanka is one
of the biggest turning points in my life. My 10) When live performing, if something
biggest support is always my family, friends unexpected happens like let’s say you
and loved ones and I cannot forget all the cannot be heard by the mic or the
people who voted throughout the competition music just not in the proper key, what
would you do?
6) What were the biggest
challenges and struggles you Oh that happens a lot! I just pretend like nothing
faced starting out? happened and continue till they fix it

It’s not that easy to be stable in the industry
specially in Sri Lanka, so it’s always 50% of luck
too, there are days I almost gave up, so the
most challenging part is to sustain in what
you do

7) What was your favorite song
that you sang in Voice Sri Lanka?

Can I say two please? It’s Galway Girl and Ae
Pawasu Loke for sure

the blogger 79

11) As a young musician, in your 16) When the day comes for you to
opinion what is the most part your way from the industry,
important skill someone like what legacy do you want to leave?
you can master?
I’d love to be known as the King of Pop in Sri
The technical side of your singing. You Lanka? I don't know, It’s sounds weird coming
can learn something new everyday and out from myself
improve everyday

12) If you had the ability to
master one instrument to the
highest level what would it be?

Guitar it is

13) How does your passion for
music par with your general day
to day life?

I always make sure to balance my
passion and my studies, since most of the
lectures are online, I’m surviving

14) If you had to choose one
musical genre to stick to for the
rest of your career what would
you choose?

Pop always pop

15) What kind of movie would you
want your music to be in?

Can’t sing in an action movie so yeah let’s go
with a romcom, would sound nice

80 the blogger

17) What's your dream stage to 20) What can we see from
perform in? Channuka Dewinidu next?
(any singles in the making)
Interesting, Superbowl half time show maybe.
Yes working on two singles! Planning to
release ASAP

18) Have you been to a concert of your
favorite artist?

In Sri lanka yes I’ve seen all of my favorite
artists performing live. Would love to go
to a Ed Sheeran or Shawn Mendes
concerts though

19) Rank the following as to
which you would prefer and
why: an opera, an orchestra,
a pop concert and a heavy
metal mosh pit?

Pop concert: what I love
Heavy metal - because I’m little too
interested in that too
Orchestra - love all the instruments in it
Opera - I might sleep halfway through

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