Postmaster General Ruwan Sathkumara has announced that postal workers who fail to report for duty without obtaining prior approval through the proper procedure will be considered as having abandoned their service.
He further stated that all postal employees have been instructed to report for duty today (22). Employees who fail to do so risk not receiving their salaries this month or may face delays in payment. Responding to inquiries on the matter, the Postmaster General explained that the Treasury has informed him that funds cannot be released to pay the salaries of employees engaged in strike action. He added that details are being monitored regarding those who do report for duty.
Accordingly, the Postmaster General confirmed that those absent from duty will definitely not receive their salaries on time. He emphasized that striking employees have been urged to return to work immediately. As part of stricter monitoring measures, several fingerprint machines have also been ordered for installation at the Central Postal Exchange.
Meanwhile, Chinthaka Bandara, Co-convener of the Postal Trade Union Front, declared that postal trade unions are not prepared to abandon the strike or enter discussions at this stage. He noted that the subject Minister has not initiated a dialogue so far and that both the Minister and the Postmaster General have merely requested unions to end trade union action and come forward for discussions.
However, Bandara reiterated that unions remain firm in their decision to continue the strike, adding that nearly 1.7 million postal bags have already accumulated near post offices as a result.
