All main, sub - post offices to be networked

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

All main post offices and 3,410 sub-post offices will be networked by the Postal Services Ministry at a cost of Rs 600 million, Postal Services Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga said.

Under the first phase of the project, 647 main post offices will be linked to the post offices network at a cost of Rs 60 million. After completing the networking process of main post offices, it has been scheduled to link 3,410 sub post offices to the network. The Ministry will allocate Rs 540 million for this project which will be completed prior to December 2012. Technological equipment will also be installed in post offices while introducing latest technology.

The Postal Services Ministry will carry out this programme together with Computer Science and Engineering Department of Moratuwa University. Around 1,200 computers will have to be used to form the network.

"The network is vital for the Postal Department to meet the present-day requirements of the society since it largely depends on information technology and technology. Therefore postal service will cope with this novel technology. After introducing new technology and completing the networking activities, the Postal Department will introduce 13 new services using the network," Minister Kumaratunga said.

Bill payment, internet related facilities such as sending and receiving emails, e-buying, e-channelling and internet browsing are among the services. In addition, the network will be utilized for sea or air cargo transportation. Describing this service, Postal Department official said that using a computer linked to network, any sender of cargo can check whether the intended recipient has received the cargo or where the cargo is now.

Customers can get an email address from the post office in the future. The customer can send or receive emails with that email account.

"The services of post offices will be widened to reach the global trends and match the present-day requirements of customers. Only then the postal service will be a people-friendly service," Minister Kumaratunga noted.