Postal and Telecommunications Officers’ Union Strike Continues for Second Day
The strike action launched by the Postal and Telecommunications Officers’ Union, along with the United Postal Trade Unions’ Front (UPTUF), has entered its second day today (18).
Union leaders confirmed that the strike is based on 19 key demands, including the payment of overtime allowances for postal officers and opposition to the directive requiring administrative and accounts staff to mark attendance using fingerprint machines.
The strike, which began at 4.00 p.m. yesterday (17) at the Colombo Central Mail Exchange, escalated into a continuous islandwide strike covering postal and administrative offices from midnight onwards.
“All postal services will be disrupted today,” said Chinthaka Bandara, co-convener of the United Postal Trade Unions’ Front.
However, Postmaster General Ruwan Sathkumara described the strike as unreasonable, claiming that many of the employees’ demands had already been addressed.
Meanwhile, Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa warned that even short absences would cause financial losses to the Department of Posts. He stressed that such disruptions could burden the Treasury and potentially affect future salary increases or overtime payments.
The Minister further urged employees to recognize the government’s ongoing efforts to recruit more staff, provide vehicles, implement digitalization, and ensure salary hikes. He appealed to striking workers to resume their duties and contribute to turning the Postal Department into a profitable institution.
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