Postal Dept, a profit – making Venture soon - Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga

By Naalir Jamaldeen

The Postal Department will develop the postal service into a profitable institution by 2020. Losses will be reduced by introducing new services and becoming more service-oriented. “ In the past six months the postal Department operated without taking a single cent from the Treasury. With the introduction of new services the institution is turning into a profit- making venture and losses are gradually decreasing”, Postal Service Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga said in an interview with the Sunday Observer.

Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga

Q: Can you elaborate on the Asia-Pacific Postal Union Executive Meeting which is to be held in Sri Lanka?

A: It is the first biggest event to be held in the history of the postal service in Sri Lanka. Thirty four countries are members of the Asia-Pacific Postal Union Executive committee. It Includes Hong Kong and Macaw.

This is an important juncture in the postal history of Sri Lanka. It boasts of a postal history of over 217 years. This event will be a milestone in improving the postal sector of the country.

We hope to take this opportunity to promote Sri Lanka's Postal service in the Asian-Pacific countries. This meeting is of special significance and will put Sri Lanka on the map. We will market and promote Sri Lanka's postal sector at this event.

By promoting the Sri Lanka's postal it will be advantageous and expedite the postal services with these countries. It is a state sponsored event. We also hope to increase income levels and reduce losses made by the Postal Department by building closer ties with these 34 countries.

Q: What the benefit Sri Lanka will gain from this meeting?

A: There are many countries which which have very little links with Sri Lanka. At one time many people living abroad were of the view that parcels and other documents sent to Sri Lanka via the postal service will be lost in the post. They entertained these doubts because of the problems in the country.

After the restoration of peace in the country, Sri Lanka's standing in the international arena has increased. Political and economic ties with foreign countries have increased.

Sri Lanka earns millions of rupees through foreign remittances made by migrant workers. When they send money to Sri Lanka they approach private agents like Western Union and other money brokers.

Then the people go to banks and money dealers in the city. Now the situation has changed with the introduction of a new services in the Postal Department. Sri Lanka Post is being developed across the country by modernising post offices. With this change Sri Lanka Post has begun to build its image across the country and worldwide.

Since Sri Lanka Post is enhancing its image here and abroad it is being well-received internationally. Sri Lanka Post has the largest network across the country because of the number of Post offices across the country. Migrant workers can now send remittances easily through post offices because of easy access. “With this improvement we hope people in the villages will utilise the services offered by the Postal Department, as they will have easy access to the facilities that are available”

Q: If services such as those offered by private banking institutions are introduced, the income of the Postal Department would increase. The people in villages need not to trek to Banks in the city. Do you have any idea to introduce such services in the Post offices?

A: During the Asia-Pacific Postal Union Executive Meeting this matter will be discussed. While discussing the services which are offered by Sri Lanka Post, attention will be paid to introduce new profitable services. Exchange of money, parcels and letters between these countries will be discussed. Last year during the Asia-Pacific regional Annual General meeting Bangladesh, India and Malaysia stated that they successfully introduced money exchange system in those countries through post offices. During the proposed to Asia-Pacific Postal Union Executive Committee Meeting a survey will be conducted in introducing this service in other countries. According to the proposals there is a possibility to introduce this service.

There are barriers in introducing this service in the countries such as Sri Lanka because a large amount of money is required. We have to invest money to earn money.

When a foreign country agrees to send money to a customer, first we should pay the customer. It will take some time to receive the money from the respective country. Such barriers remain for countries such as Sri Lanka. This system has been proposed to Japan, Korea, Philippine and Malaysia. It took one year for the Asia-Pacific Postal Union to study this matter. Such services have already been proposed. Money is the main problem to certain countries in the Asia region to introduce this service. This problem will be discussed during the meeting.

Q: In which way will the meeting have an impact in the postal sector of Sri Lanka?

A: Money exchange, introduction of modern technology in the state postal sector can be eased. Six postal service providers out of 10 prominent postal service providers will take part in the meeting. The other four will participate as observers. It will be considered to improve facilities of modernised post offices across the country. Foreign experts hope to conduct workshops for Sri Lankan postal sector officers. Through this we will decide the future activities of the postal service in Sri Lanka. A lack of modern technology, lack of staff to handle modern technology also have become a problem and this obstructs the further development of the postal service in Sri Lanka. These matters will also be discussed at the meeting.

Q: Who is bearing the expenditure of the Asia-Pacific Postal Union Executive Committee Meeting?

A: The Post offices in the respective countries will bear the expenses of those countries while the Sri Lanka Government will coordinate and arrange hotels on a concessionary basis. As for Sri Lanka it will be borne by by the Postal Department. The Postal Department has reserved funds for the conference from its earnings. We hope to get vehicles for transport from other Government institutions. This conference is a low budget affair.

Q: Will the meeting strengthen the postal exchange between these regions?

A: Through this meeting Sri Lanka will receive publicity at international level. There are some countries that are not aware of Sri Lanka and will now be known.

Postal Department heads and Ministers are expected to participate. Post Master Generals will also participate. Ninety participants have agreed to go on field visits. Those on field visits will study Sri Lanka's postal network.