Give us this day our daily bread (read alleviate poverty). Lead us not into temptation through Carrot-dangling politicos at Election time. Lead us not into temptation through high interest rate-offering finance companies with dubious credentials.

Lead us not into white vans sans number plates and destinations unknown.

Deliver us from politicians, bureaucrats, the underworld and drug barons.

Deliver us from language barriers which, in effect, are barriers to inter-communal harmony and are definite impediments to fostering same.

Deliver us from a garbage-strewn environment, as we get sufficient quantities of that component from the folk in the abode by the Diyawanna.

Forgive our trespasses into state institutions and police stations to obtain redresses for our grievances, as we forgive those that trespass against us by shoving ARs and FRs in our faces and addressing us in a language that some of us are not conversant with. (Whilst on the subject, why not extend that kind old soul H.E. The President’s directive to give Cricket commentaries in all three languages, to cover work in state institutions, Police stations etcetera, as well?)

Answer all our above prayers and to hell with the 13th Amendment – the much flaunted panacea for all ills; the excuse for NATO (no action, talk only); (and apart from a handful of students of the subject conversant with all its relevant clauses and thus, competent to talk in favour or against), the subterfuge of scheming secessionists, self-elevated holier-than-thou homily deliverers and parroting politicians!