Postal Dept.'s revenue affected by volcanic clouds

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The non- accepting of over 15,000 letters and packages to European countries by the Postal Department due to the situation in Europe following a volcanic eruption in Iceland has badly affected the Department's daily revenue.

It is said that a large number of letters and packages are sent to foreign countries everyday from Sri Lanka through the Central Mail Exchange, the Electronic Mail Services (EMS) and from privately handled courier services.

Supt.

Central Mail Exchange, H.M. Premachandra Herath told the Sunday Observer that the Department took a policy decision to stop accepting letters and packages from customers for four days following the cancellation of flights from Sri Lanka to Several European destinations.

Accordingly, the Postal Department had not accepted letters to European countries.

Supt. Herath further said, that the accepting of letters and Packages resumed on Friday, since Sri Lankan Airlines and number of other International flights commenced operations to European countries from Thursday.

Meanwhile, Supt. International Mail, J.L. Nawaratnam said a large number of customers who handed over the packages earlier arrived at the Central Mail Exchange to take them back. He also said the cost of the loss, incurred by the Postal Department during the four-day period would be announced next month.