Sri Lanka steps up postal modernisation with new offices, equipment and solar systems

Sri Lanka is expanding efforts to modernise its postal service, with new post offices, building renovations, digital equipment and solar power systems being introduced across the country.

The Department of Posts said new post office buildings in Mullaitivu and Kaithady, Jaffna, will open on 18 and 19 September respectively. A new post office will also be built in Puthukkudiyiruppu at a cost of Rs. 32 million, with completion expected by April 2027.

The Government allocated Rs. 600 million in the 2025 Budget for new postal buildings, the first such allocation in a decade. Seven new post offices and three sub-post offices funded under the programme have already opened.

A further Rs. 600 million was allocated in 2025 to renovate postal infrastructure, resulting in improvements to nearly 200 post offices and administrative offices.

The Department has also received allocations of Rs. 588 million for vehicles, Rs. 27 million for CCTV systems, Rs. 74 million for desktop computers, Rs. 101 million for tablets and Rs. 31 million for 657 fingerprint machines.

Solar power systems costing Rs. 24 million have also been installed at postal facilities in Batticaloa and Polonnaruwa, the Central Mail Exchange and Postal Headquarters.

The Department said the programme was intended to make the postal service more efficient, modern and accessible to the public.