How low can one go?

In the past it was a common phenomena to see responsible state officers paying ‘pooja’ before politicians both high and low. If the government officers function in an efficient, courteous and impartial manner, it is quite unnecessary to behave in such a spineless fashion. When the state officers bend so low the politicians take an upperhand and tend to act in a contemptuous way towards the public.

On TV I recently saw highly placed state officers receiving their letters of appointment from the President bend- ing at a 900 angle where a respectful bow would have been sufficient. Some officers act in this manner to cover their ineptitude and corruption, or to curry favour with politicians.

Also I wish to request that the practice of getting down hundreds of government officers to Colombo (Temple Trees) at a great cost merely to receive letters of appointments be stopped. Please send them by registered post as was the practice years ago.

L.G. Abeysinghe

Gampaha