Your editorial of June 3 titled Defending Victory urges the President to prepare himself for a different war which is to fight the type of enemies which are inconspicuous but harmful––waste, corruption, narcotics and not the least–– ‘lotus eating’ for which the Sri Lankans are notorious for. I believe the whole nation will be at one with you that the President cannot find a more “auspicious” time than now to embark on this crusade.
It cannot be gainsaid that our public life is rife with corruption which has apparently entrenched itself sans effective control by the authorities concerned. The public service is no more the service that serves the public honestly. One cannot get anything done in most public offices without giving the officers a “santhosam”. Bribery is rampant in almost every government department, thus denying the public of their legitimate and democratic right to be served honestly by the very men and women who presumably do not realize that it is these members of the public that actually sustain them.
The nation, while being indebted to the president and all those who helped to liberate the country from the brutal stranglehold of terrorism, we would naturally wish that the same vigour and enthusiasm would prevail in getting rid of the narcotic scourge. It is lamentable however that the drug busting, ‘fishermen’ have dismally failed in netting in the sharks.
Sri Lanka, admittedly is a poor nation although many Lankans have cultivated a predilection for a grand life style. Extravagance has become a common phenomenon. But then let us guard against extending this to playing ducks and drakes with public money. Waste to the tune of millions is perpetrated by almost all state departments. Ministerial trips abroad with the attending entourage is a cost the exchequer cannot carry any longer.
All good things must come to an end. So must the celebrations that have given us Sri Lankans unbridled joy and happiness. Now let us all join hands as true patriots to build a nation that is second to none.

Bandula M. Abeyewardene