New postal headquarters opened
 

by Malmi Sellahannadi

Posts, Telecommunications and Udarata Development Minister D.M. Jayaratne declared open the fully fledged Postal Headquarters at 310,D.R.Wijewardene Mawatha,Colombo 10, on Monday,September 12.

The Postal Headquarters built at a cost of Rs.351 million replaces the postal department that had been operating General Post Office (GPO) at President Mawatha, Colombo from 1985." Today I feel very happy as I was able to open the Postal Headquarters",the Minister said after opening the Postal Headquarters.

Minister Jayaratne said that the new Postal Headquarters filled a long felt need. It was the most important achievement of the burning problem of space of the postal department.

The Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts issued a new postage stamp in the denomination of Rs.5.00 to mark the opening of the new Postal Headquarters.

At the ceremony to open the Postal Headquarters, Minister Jayaratne handed over financial aid to 11 persons who were affected by the tsunami disaster. Ariyawathie Silva, widow of postal worker G.A.Silva received Rs.50,000 and Lalith Kumar received Rs.20,000.

This well-equipped postal complex with two main towers was built within 30 days after the laying of the Foundation for the building by Indika Gunawardane,the then Minister of Posts, Telecommunication and Information Technology.The Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau was assigned with the construction work.

The new Postal Headquarters with two Towers house the Office of the Post Master General in one of them. While the East Tower has ten floors, the West Tower has three floors and the complex comprises eight storeys.

In addition to that there are other departments such as Philatelic Bureau, Post and Philatelic Museum, Auditorium, Exhibition Hall and a Library.

It also has other facilities and services necessary to run the Postal Headquarters smoothly and provide qualitative service to the general public.