Towards better public service:

Network to link main post offices

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

All main post offices will be linked to a network by the end of this year. The project will cost of Rs 300 million, Post and Telecommunications Minister Jeewan Kumaratunga said.

Under this project ongoing post offices networking process will be completed prior to December 31, linking 647 main post offices to the network.After completing the networking process for the main post offices, it has been scheduled to link 3,410 sub post offices to the network. The Ministry will allocate Rs 650 million for this project which will be completed prior to December 2012. The Post and Telecommunications Ministry will carry out this program along with Moratuwa University Computer Science and Engineering Department. Around 1,200 computers will be used to form the network, the Minister said.

The Postal Department will introduce thirteen new services using the network.

"Accordingly, bill payments, internet facilities, e-mails, e-buying, e-channelling and internet browsing effectively are among the services. In addition, the network will be utilized for sea or air cargo transportation, Minister Kumaratunga said."