• Employees told to use the 2 working lifts 

In the wake of postal trade unions (TU) warning of another strike if the two elevators that are currently out of order at the Central Mail Exchange (CME) are not repaired by 1 April, the Department of Posts stated that the required repairs cannot be completed so quickly.

Several TUs within the Postal Department launched a 24-hour strike on Monday (11), demanding the repair of two elevators at the eight-storey CME, which are not in operation at present. The relevant TUs have now warned of another strike if the relevant repairs are not done by 1 April.

When contacted by The Daily Morning, the Postmaster General, R.P. Sathkumara said that the recently launched strike by a section of postal TUs did not have any fair basis. "There are four elevators at the CME. Two of them are not in order but the other two can be used. The TUs claim that they have had to carry parcels on their back as the elevators are not operating. It is a complete lie. They went on strike due to some other reasons. It is with such TUs that we try to make progress within the Department." He also said that the preliminary arrangements to repair the defunct elevators have already been made by the Department, following the due procedures. "There is a procedure to be followed. We cannot go to Pettah and bring some spare parts and repair these elevators. There are certain parts that have to be imported." When queried as to whether the relevant repairs can be completed before 1 April, as demanded by the TUs, he said: "This is not something that can be done within such a definite time period. It takes time, and there are two other elevators for them to use."

The Co-Convenor of the Joint Postal Trade Unions Front Chinthaka Bandara had claimed that more than 3,000 people visit the CME on a daily basis and that they have had to face difficulties due to the defunct elevators. He had also charged that the postal employees had to carry parcels on their back to the upper floors since the elevators could not be used.