Uninterrupted postal services during festive season

by Mohammed NAALIR

The Postal Services Ministry has taken measures to expedite postal deliveries during the Sinhala and Hindu New Year season. Over 22,000,000 letters, 200,000 registered letters and over 20,000 parcels from outstation areas remained unattended in Colombo, due to the recent strike by Postal Trade Unions.

Minister of Postal Services Jeewan Kumaratunga, addressing a media conference on Friday with regard to the recent chaotic situation in the Postal Department, expressed confidence that postal delivery services will take place uninterrupted during the festive season.

Minister Kumaratunga also said that an independent committee, chaired by a retired judge, will be set up within two months to inquire into allegations against the Post Master General.

Meanwhile, the duties and responsibilities of the Post Master General were brought under the direct supervision of the Postal Services Ministry Secretary with immediate effect last Friday.

The Minister took this decision following the strike carried out by Postal Trade Union Organisations.

The Minister said that certain demands of the Unions can be fulfilled immediately, but certain demands would take some time to be solved. "We closely monitored developments at the Postal Department and mediated in solving the disputes that arose. Permission of the Treasury must be obtained to fill the vacancy for Post Master General" he said.

Addressing the media, Chairman, Postal Trade Union Organisations Chinthaka Bandara said the reason for the present problems in the Postal Department is an issue with the Post Master General, as the demands made during the meetings with the Minister, Ministry Secretary and Post Master General to protect the rights of a large number of employees attached to the Department ended without arriving at an agreement.

There are no political grounds behind this strike which was carried out to protect the Postal Department and the privileges of its employees.

The Postal Trade Union Organisations can submit their allegations against the Post Master General to the independent committee and the Post Master General will also be granted an opportunity to present his case to the committee.