Postal Dept moves with the times

by Mohammed NAALIR

The Government has extended all possible assistance to improve Sri Lanka's film industry. President Mahinda Rajapaksa and former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga have given a helping hand to the industry. Due to the advent of Bollywood, Hollywood and Kollywood movies and TV stations the competition in the film industry is high. It is time to produce films to conform to international standards to satisfy the audience of the country, said Postal Services Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga in an interview with the Sunday Observer.

Q: Can you explain the present state of Sri Lanka's film industry?

A: At the outset there were nearly 450 to 500 cinema halls in the country. During the 1983 riot a large number of cinema halls were burnt, and as a result the number declined to 150.

Besides, film production cost has increased by several folds. In the past nearly Rs. 4 million was spent to produce a film and screen the first copy. Now the cost exceeds Rs. 10 million. On the other hand, the audience who view Sinhala movies have declined considerably due to the influence of foreign films.

Introducing a soft loan to modernise cinema halls would be a good solution. The cinema halls should be improved by the owners. The Government can provide some assistance to cinema hall operators such as relaxing the duty on the import of equipment including electronic sound systems.

Q: Even though you are a veteran film star, you are the Minister of Postal Services. Can you explain your future plans to develop the Postal Department?

A: The Postal Department (PD) is the only state owned service provider to the people in the cities and villages. The Postal Services Ministry launched a program to network the post offices with the help of the Moratuwa University to provide a satisfactory service to the public by introducing various other services in the post offices.

Under the first phase 12 main post offices have been networked and five types of new services introduced in addition to the normal work. Plans are afoot to network 200 main post offices in a couple of months. The remaining main post offices will also be networked soon.

Under the second phase regional post offices will be networked. The capacity and efficiency of the Central Postal Exchange (CPE) have also been improved.

Q: Will the sub post offices be converted into agency post offices?

A:Sub post offices will not be changed into agency post offices. But agency post offices will be strengthened.

Q: Is there any negative impact on the smooth operation of state owned post offices from agency post offices?

A: There is no negative impact on state owned post offices from agency post offices. Agency post offices are set up in densely populated locations, in busy areas in the cities. The increase of population is also another reason to set up agency post offices.

Q: With the advent of modern money exchange methods such as Western Union money transfer and e-money exchange, the percentage of migrant workers who send money home through the post office has declined considerably. Have you any plans to introduce this service through the post office?

A: There are nearly 4,000 post offices in the country including the North and the East. Already we have introduced e-money exchange in 12 main post offices as a pilot project. After the completion of the networking of post offices we can provide a satisfactory money transfer service to customers including the migrant workers.

Some prominent banks and cellular phone service providers are willing to join the Postal Department to provide certain services to the public.

The Postal Department is the only Government institution with a large number of outlets. There are 3410 sub post offices and 645 main post offices in the country. Dealing with the Postal Department would help to earn a lucrative income. Renowned banks are ready to provide Teller machines to post offices.

Q: Can you explain the moves taken by the Government to improve the postal services in the North and the East?

A: The Government reconstructed the post offices destroyed during the conflict period at a cost of Rs. 26.61 million in the Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar and Jaffna districts under the Uthuru Wasanthaya program.

Meanwhile, the Government has provided Rs. 41.16 million worth equipment and machinary to the post offices in the North.

The Government implemented improvements to the postal sector in the North and East under the Idhiri Dekma program of the Mahinda Chinthanaya, Jathika Saviya, Neganahira Navodhaya, Uthuru Wasanthaya and Gama Neguma.

A large number of vans and bicycles have been sent to the North and East to be utilised in the postal delivery service.

Q: Does the foreign mail service, especially to conflict affected Middle Eastern countries function smoothly?

A: There is some delay in delivering the mail, but the mail service to those countries operates as usual.

We have been far behind in foreign mail service when compared to other countries. Now we have been placed in the 60th place. The Postal Ministry received an international award for regulating local and international postal delivery service and providing a satisfactory service.

We freight the mails and cargoes to the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayaka according to international standard. Sri Lanka will reach the top in mail delivery service in the region. There is no interruption in mail delivery to Libya or Syria, now it takes more time than before the conflict.

The International Postal Union's (IPU) recommendation is that letters or parcels should be delivered to the customer within five days. Only then will we be entitled to the benefits and privileges provided by the IPU. In Sri Lanka, letters and parcels are delivered to the customers in three days, and at most five days.

Q: Can you explain the postal charge amendment of the Government?

A: Postal charges have not been amended for more than six years. The Postal Services Ministry plans to amend postal charges soon. Discussions are being held with the authorities in this regard.

There are two categories of mails, namely, for business and normal use. The postal charges will be amended in a manner beneficial to both parties. We will announce the amended postal charges soon.

Q: Some countries make much money through the printing of stamps. We have our own cultural heritages. India also issues its identical stamps in foreign countries. Do you plan to issue Sri Lankan stamps in a foreign country?

A: Of course, we have such an idea. The Philatelic Bureau has been abandoned for long. Now we have streamlined it. We follow the regulations strictly when issuing stamps. The number of first day covers and stamps have been limited with a view to increase their value. Only 34 types of stamps are issued per year.

We have plans to motivate schoolchildren towards philately by setting up philatelic societies in schools.

One hundred and thirty four school philatelic societies have been set up in the Colombo district. Plans are afoot to expand this program to schools in the Western Province.

The income of the Philatelic Bureau has increased. When I assumed duty as Postal Services Minister the monthly stamp sale of the Philatelic Bureau was only Rs. 12,000. Now it has reached Rs. 0.6 million. We plan to issue stamps targeting tourists.

Recently we issued four stamps depicting the old Parliament (Presidential Secretariat), the Galle Face Hotel, the Museum and the Colombo Municipal Council at a ceremony held at Galle Face Hotel to promote the tourist industry.

Nearly 20 to 30 foreigners visit the Philatelic Bureau to purchase stamps daily. Plans are afoot to issue stamps coordinating with foreign countries.

Q: Can you explain the stamp issuing process?

A: At the time that a stamp is cancelled, we immediately inform the Philatelic Bureau to take steps to print a stamp. Now a mechanism has been drafted to issue the same stamp in other parts of the country on the same day the stamp is issued in Colombo. Philatelists can collect the required stamps from the nearby post office. Last year the Postal Services Ministry issued a stamp depicting the Viceroy steam train.

Q: Have the Postal Ministry given employments to youth?

A: Nearly 1,800 youth have been selected through competitive examinations to fill vacancies in the Postal Department. They will be employed to suitable positions soon. It will ease the activities of the Department.

Q: Is the Postal Department incurring a loss? Any moves to overcome it?

A: Our aim is not to earn income, but bring the Department to a break-even point without becoming a burden to the Treasury and the Government. The Postal Department has introduced some measures to achieve this goal. The profit of the Department could be increased after the introduction of the proposed services at Post Offices.

First of all the Sri Lanka Post should have access to modern technology, for the Department to survive. If not it will face a natural death.

Q: Do you plan to set up a unit to provide information to philatelists?

A: The Philatelic Bureau is doing the job well. Plans are afoot to expand the activities of this Bureau.

In developed countries, the driving licence, passport and other important documents can be obtained at the Post office.

We should bring our post offices to that State. We also plan to start a courier service to distant parts of the country. Vehicle parts and other important gadgets can be sent through the post office.

Q: Can you explain the activities of Postal Trade Unions?

A: We are working closely with Postal Trade Unions. I give prominence to their fruitful ideas to improve the Department. Doors are open to trade unions for discussion at any time. I function on the ground that a solution can be found to all problems through discussion.