Sri Lanka moves to modernise postal service and expand e-commerce operations
A preliminary discussion on modernising Sri Lanka Post was held at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo today (August 7), focusing on reforms, digitalisation and opportunities to expand parcel delivery and e-commerce services.
The discussion was held between Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and officials of the Department of Posts.
It followed directives issued by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during the 2027 pre-Budget discussion of the Ministry of Health and Mass Media held on July 9.
The meeting focused on identifying challenges that need to be addressed in modernising the Department of Posts and exploring opportunities to make postal services more efficient and financially sustainable.
Postmaster General S. R. W. M. R. P. Sathkumara said the Department of Posts currently provides services through three main areas: financial services in partnership with banks and insurance institutions, traditional postal services and parcel delivery.
He said parcel delivery has significant potential and a growing market, with the Department currently serving an estimated 10% to 15% of the available market.
According to the Postmaster General, there is considerable scope to rapidly expand these services.
He also highlighted the need for reforms, including strengthening business decision-making capabilities and improving remuneration for employees involved in revenue-generating services.
He said a study is currently being carried out in collaboration with the Treasury to explore these reforms.
Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake said postal services around the world have evolved alongside technological and economic developments by responding to emerging changes, introducing modern features and continuously adapting their operations.
He noted that while traditional postal services are gradually declining, new opportunities are emerging through e-commerce and internet-based parcel delivery services.
Dr Kumanayake said the opportunities created by these new areas are greater than the decline in traditional postal operations.
He stressed the need to restructure the Department’s workforce and infrastructure to enable it to take advantage of emerging business opportunities.
He also highlighted the potential for the Department of Posts to support the expansion of national and international trade through digitalisation, saying new opportunities for service delivery have emerged as a result of these developments.
Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Janaka Bandara, Additional Secretary to the President Rohan Jayathilake, Additional Secretary (Posts) to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media R. G. K. Wijesinghe, Deputy Postmaster General (Operations) H. M. P. Herath, Deputy Postmaster General (Development) Thusitha Hulangamuwa, Deputy Postmaster General (Administration) G. C. I. de Silva, Deputy Director of the Department of Management H. A. S. P. Hettiarachchi, and officials of the Ministry of Health and Mass Media were also present.