An island-wide postal strike entered its second day Monday, disrupting services across Sri Lanka as workers pressed 19 demands, including changes to overtime pay and the withdrawal of a new fingerprint attendance system.

The walkout began Sunday evening at the Central Mail Exchange in Colombo and quickly spread nationwide. Union leaders said the fingerprint scanners introduced were among the most contentious issues.

Postmaster General Ruwan Sathkumara said about 3,354 sub-post offices remain open but warned of delays in mail delivery. He called the strike unfair and said nearly 90 per cent of the postal department’s spending already goes to salaries and overtime.

Sathkumara said police have been asked to protect staff who report to work and warned of disciplinary action against any attempts to disrupt operations.

No timeline has been given for when the strike will end. (Newswire)

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The strike launched by the Postal and Telecommunications Officers’ Union in Sri Lanka and the United Postal Trade Union Front continues for the second consecutive day today.

The strike began at 4:00 pm yesterday (17), based on 19 demands, with primary concerns on opposition to overtime payment guidelines and mandatory fingerprint attendance tracking for officers in all administrative and accounting offices.

According to the United Postal Trade Union Front, starting from the Central Mail Exchange, the strike expanded island-wide from midnight yesterday.

Joint convener of the United Postal Trade Union Front, Chinthaka Bandara, said all postal operations are expected to be disrupted today (18), as a result of the strike action. 

Meanwhile, Postmaster General Ruwan Sathkumara told the media yesterday that engaging in a strike despite many demands being addressed was unfair.

“There are around 3,000 sub-post offices. They are not part of the strike. But there may be some delays in mail distribution. As Postmaster General, I express regret over the inconvenience caused. There are employees willing to report to duty, but threats have been made. I wrote to the Inspector General of Police requesting protection for those coming to work. IT platforms have been interfered with. We consider this damage to government property. If such actions continue, appropriate disciplinary steps will be enforced,” he said.

Postmaster General Ruwan Sathkumara further warned that if any disruptive actions occur, disciplinary measures will be taken. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka’s Police and Postal Departments have launched a joint project to simplify the process of paying fines for traffic offences for the convenience of the public. 

It is reported that steps have been taken to operate 13 postal offices in the Western Province 24/7 to enable the public to pay their traffic fines even at night.

Accordingly, the postal offices in Slave Island, Havelock Town, Wellawatte, Borella, Kotahena, Battaramulla, Nugegoda, Dehiwala, Mount Lavinia, Moratuwa, Panadura, Kalutara, and Seethawakapura will operate around the clock for this purpose. 

The Postal Department further said that the respective post offices will only accept fines outside working hours. (NewsWire)

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Employees of the Departments of Railway and Postal will launch a strike action from midnight today (14), the relevant trade unions have announced. 

Employees of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) have announced that they will engage in a work-to-rule campaign from 09.00 am tomorrow (15).

Meanwhile, trade unions of several essential services have warned of large-scale indefinite strike action from Wednesday (15) over the government’s new tax policy. 

Trade Unions attached to the ports, doctors, nursing, water, power, teachers, and banking sectors have announced their participation. 

A written letter on the planned strike action was also handed over to the Ministry of Public Services yesterday.

The trade unionists have warned that country-wide indefinite strike action will be launched tomorrow if the government fails to address its demands.

Stating that they are willing to pay the necessary taxes, the trade unionists stated, however, they are against paying unfair taxes that have been proposed by the government. (NewsWire)

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