Govt urged to solve postal employees' problems

Mohammed Naalir

COLOMBO: Lanka Postal Union President Vivekanandalingam said the government's mediation is essential to settle the Postal Department employees' problems.

Vivekanandalingam addressing the media at the Sri Lanka Postal Union Office said all Department employees would go on sick leave today (27) demanding the authorities to modify and introduce new postal systems without reducing their service period and benefits.

He said the Department which is running at a loss cannot be converted into a profitable organisation by cutting down employees' benefits and working hours. He said it could be achieved only by introducing new methods in the Postal Department suitable to postal sector.

He said thirteen trade unions would join in the agitation. "No action has been taken to uplift the Postal Department though the Department is running at a loss.

"The Treasury says that by cutting down the facilities and service of the employees and by reducing the working hours the Department could be converted into a profitable institution.

"However, several projects started to uplift the Postal Department ended in failure," he observed.

Postal and Telecommunication Officials Union President H.M. Navaratna Bandara stressed the postal service was a people's service and that they were striving to protect the service on behalf of the public.