A preliminary discussion on the modernization of Sri Lanka Post was held this afternoon (07) at the Presidential Secretariat between Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and officials of the Department of Posts.
The discussion was held in accordance with directives issued by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during the 2027 pre-Budget discussion of the Ministry of Health and Mass Media on 9 July, 2026, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.
It focused on identifying challenges that need to be addressed to modernise the Department of Posts and exploring opportunities and potential to transform postal services into a more efficient and financially sustainable service.
Postmaster General S. R. W. M. R. P. Sathkumara noted that 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, the PMD said.
He stated that parcel delivery has significant potential and a growing market, with the Department currently serving an estimated 10–15% of the available market. He noted that there is considerable scope to expand these services rapidly.
The Postmaster General further emphasised the need for reforms, including strengthening business decision-making capabilities and improving remuneration for staff engaged in revenue-generating services.
He added that a study is currently being conducted in collaboration with the Treasury to explore these reforms.
Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake observed that postal services worldwide have evolved alongside technological and economic developments by responding to emerging changes, incorporating modern features and continuously adapting their operations, the statement said.
He noted that while traditional postal services are gradually declining, new opportunities are emerging through e-commerce and internet-based parcel delivery services, the PMD stated.
The Secretary to the President further pointed out that the opportunities emerging from 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 capitalise on these emerging business opportunities.
Dr. Kumanayake also highlighted the potential for the Department of Posts to expand national and international trade through digitalisation, noting that new opportunities for service delivery have opened up as a result of these developments, the statement added.
