Postal strike called off

Ridma Dissanayake and Dharma Sri Abeyratne

Postal trade unions yesterday called off the trade union action following a discussion with Posts and Telecommunications Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga, Ministry Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and union leaders.

The postal trade unions launched a hunger strike on November 14 demanding the removal of the Post Master General accusing him of corruption.

The minister at the meeting with trade union representatives agreed yesterday to settle the dispute over the Post Master General within one month.

Postal Department officials said yesterday that they will give priority to the distribution of O/L admission cards and letters pertinent for salaries of the Three Armed Forces.

Department sources said that nearly 1.6 million letters have accumulated at the Central Mail Exchange and post offices islandwide. The officials said that these letters would be sorted out and distributed within a few days.

The department said that the public has the opportunity to collect letters from the Central Mail Exchange by providing their identification cards.