'Modern Postal Dept vital to overcome global challenges'

by Mohammed Naalir

Postal Services Minister Jeewan Kumaratunga reiterated the necessity of modernising the country's Postal Department if the global challenge in the telecommunication sector is to be won.

Merely depending on traditional methods would lead the Post towards a natural death. The next step of the Postal Department should be absorbing modern technological know-how in its operation.

The Postal Services Ministry never failed to recognise and appreciate the yeoman services rendered by the employees of the Department.

Addressing the 138th World Postal Day celebrations, at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute premises, Minister Kumaratunga said the convention of the World Postal Union (WPU) will be held in Doha, Qatar on Tuesday. Representatives of the Postal Department who have flown to Qatar to take part in the Convention, have held discussions with WPU authorities to draft a mechanism on facing the challenges of postal services with the advent of modern technologies.

"I believe that they will return with positive results", the Minister said.

The Postal Department is one of the few Departments belonging to the Government. It has been engaged in public services for nearly 200 years.