Networking of postal services benefit public

by Mohammed NAALIR

The Postal Services Ministry is in the process of expanding its network throughout the island, Postal Services Minister Jeewan Kumaratunga said.

634 main post offices have been included in this new network with the support of University of Moratuwa, according to Minister Kumaratunga.

Moves are underway to include 3,410 more sub post offices in the network in two years' time.

After the completion of this new arrangements the administration activities of all post offices throughout the country could be brought under one umbrella. The Minister said that infusing modern technologies in the postal sector would be crucial to overcome challenges. For the past five years our postal sector had been facing huge challenges due to the introduction of modern technologies.

If modern technology was not used, the entire postal network would have faced a several setbacks. In every country the communication sector has become more competitive with the emergence of modern technologies.

He said that the Government has allocated sufficient funds for this project. We will be introducing track and trace system for the first time in Sri Lanka.

E-mail and billing facilities will also be offered by post offices countrywide on the completion of new network system. We are planning to provide 21 kinds of different services to customers in the future.

Government has allocated Rs. 15 million for bicycles to be distributed among the postal employees.

Last year we distributed 4,000 bicycles to the postal sector in Monaragala, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Hambantota Districts to ensure an efficient postal service.