New technology to boost postal sector

by Chanuka Mannapperuma

The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunication has planned to introduce Japanese technology to ensure a speedy and efficient service in the postal sector.

Deputy Post Master General, R.P.D Gamini said, a Japanese organisation 'Mitzubishi' and 'Ravo' international organisation in Philippines will be providing technical assistance to uplift the standards of the postal sector. Under this technology, moneyorder transactions, mail delivery, telegrams and other related sectors will be upgraded.

The Ministry has also planned to recruit 1507 staff personnel. The recruitment will begin early next year. According to the Ministry spokesman, in Sri Lanka there are around 3,400 sub post offices and 547 main post offices. Of 90 percent only 20 percent of the post offices are operating at a profit.

He said, they could make profits from the postal and telecommunication sectors because in Asia the best mail delivery service is in Japan and Sri Lanka. He said, per hour one person should select 1,300 letters but today due to inefficiency it has reduced to 260. Delivering letters and parcels through sea and air mails are costly and once a year the Postal Department had to get nearly Rs. 1,800 million from the Treasury.

The Postal Department expects an efficient service after recruitment of staff.

This will help to reduce the quantum obtained from the Treasury.