SL Post to introduce common ATM’s

SHIRAJIV SIRIMANE

For the first time Sri Lanka Post would install common tellers (ATM’s) at all post offices with multi functional facilities.

These tellers would have the facility to dispense cash from all the leading banks with the customers’ existing ‘teller card’ and it would also have the facility to pay almost all utility bills.

Minister Jeevan Kumaranatunge at the launch of the new heritage stamp for Galle Face Hotel with Chairman GFH, Sanjeev Gardiner

Minister of Posts, Jeevan Kumaranatunge said that they will also obtain necessary funding to install these tellers from both the Treasury (Rs 50 million) and the banks that would use the faility.

He said that one of the biggest advantages they have is the widest branch network which is over 1,000 which allows easy access to customers.

They would have special areas with high security within the postal premises to install these ‘tellers.’

“What we are looking is a teller machine that would be linked to all banks and the customer would have the benefit of making withdrawals from this ‘common teller’ without having to pay additional penalties.”

The minister said that already one state bank has positively responded and had wanted exclusivity for a period of time. “Bu we prefer to have all the banks in both the government and the private sector getting involved.”

He said that in addition they are also looking at the possibility of offering the service of currency exchange for popular and selected denominations such as US dollars, and gulf currencies.

“What I have in mind is to offer a more attractive rate than the banks,” he said. The minister also disclosed plans to have air conditioned ‘business centers’ in all their regional post officers even with wifi. “One of the main aims is to attract tourists and also youth.”

He said that since the inception of the postal services over a century ago and being the first institution in Asia to issue a stamp, it has been functioning as a traditional service organization and he is looking to convert it into a profit making venture offering multitude of new services. “A courier service is also planned by us and we are also looking at the development in both the Hambantota harbour and airport to get involved in many sectors,” he said.

Another development the ‘Post’ is looking for is the opening of service centres which would also include internet facilities in all main railway stations.

Looking back he said that one of the key points for the ‘Post’ to lag behind was the breaking away of Telecommunications sector in 1980 which had limited their revenue. He also said that there are nearly 60 unions and also identified ‘high overtime’ and negative thinking as some of the main gray areas. Commenting on the sale of stamps he said that this was a very profitable venture and said that the stamp issued for the Galle Face hotel recently had an all time record sale of over Rs 400,000 in a few hours.