The Polonnaruwa Main Post Office of the Sri Lanka Postal Department, which envisions being an excellent connectivity partner through innovative, diversified services, was declared open to the public last day (17) under the patronage of Health and Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.
Following the opening of the Polonnaruwa Main Post Office, the Minister of Health and Media also inaugurated the stamp sub-counter, presented a personalized stamp issued by the sub-office, and conducted the first transaction.
Minister of Health and Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, stated that the country’s postal service, with a history of approximately 228 years, will be systematically developed.
He further emphasized that the Sri Lanka Postal Service will be transformed into a primary medium connecting Sri Lanka’s history and future, providing safe and the most affordable services. He added that the 4,000 post offices and the 22,000-strong staff of the Postal Department must contribute to this endeavour.
“Polonnaruwa Main Post Office opened to the public”
Furthermore, he mentioned that the postal service, which currently relies on the Treasury, will be transformed into a profitable institution with modern technological services and a new look, becoming a place where people want to come.
Deputy Minister of Housing and Urban Development, T.B. Sarath, stated that the government is taking steps to develop all centers providing public facilities with maximum public amenities.
Clarifying the objective, Postmaster General Ruwan Sathkumara stated that the government has allocated 1300 million rupees for the development of the postal service. Accordingly, the long-standing requests for new buildings and vehicle requirements can now be fulfilled. He also added that steps are being taken to implement a multitude of essential new services for the public through this post office, working towards achieving the future goals of the postal service.
Although construction of the Polonnaruwa Postal Complex began in 2017 under the “Pibidemu Polonnaruwa” (Awakening Polonnaruwa) project, only the administrative complex located behind this newly constructed post office building could be completed by the end of 2019.
Accordingly, in 2024, the old dilapidated building at the front was demolished, and this new building for the Polonnaruwa Main Post Office was constructed by the Buildings Department at a cost of 69 million rupees.
The postal service in the Polonnaruwa area consists of 12 post offices and 91 sub-post offices.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Housing and Urban Development T.B. Sarath, Polonnaruwa Municipal Council Chairman Lalith Tissa Koralage, Polonnaruwa District Secretary Sujantha Ekanayake, Members of Parliament N.R.P. Bandara and B.M.S. Ratnasiri, Postmaster General Ruwan Sathkumara, Deputy Postmaster General (North Central) Sanjeewa Fernando, as well as the staff of the new post office and other invitees.
