brand logo

Foreign postage rates increased by 50%

03 Aug 2022

BY Buwanajee Coralage Foreign postage rates were increased from Monday (1) by approximately 50% owing to the increase in the US dollar (USD) rate, said Deputy Postmaster General (Operations) D.A. Rajitha K. Ranasinghe.  This price revision has been the first since January 2018, which was determined considering the unprecedented increase in the USD rate which was Rs. 153 in 2018. The rates have been updated considering a USD being equivalent to Rs. 350 presently. Accordingly the postal rates, as well as the registration rates will be experiencing a price hike. “The previous postal rates were in place since January 2018, and were in dire need of revision with the rapidly increasing USD rate. Statistically, the USD rate has almost tripled since the rates were determined, so a decision was taken to increase the foreign postage rates accordingly,” said Ranasinghe while speaking to The Morning. Furthermore, he stated that a special gazette notification was passed on 19 July 2022, informing of the above changes. Consequently, the rates of postal letters, parcels, the Express Mail Service (EMS), courier service, and U-packets have been revised. Moreover, he explained that the rates will be determined based on the delivery air mileage, according to which, eight zones have been determined around the world. The rates have undergone an increase of nearly 50% or more, based on their delivery locations.  “We have determined eight zones around the world according to which the rates will be determined. Senders will experience a 50% or more increase of the rates in sending foreign postage, which is currently implemented,” said Ranasinghe, explaining further. Additionally, he noted that more information regarding the revised rates can be found on the Sri Lanka Post official website, www.slpost.gov.lk.


More News..