Sri Lanka post is the pioneer of the communication industry in Sri Lanka. It is one of the oldest and reliable Government Department in the country. Especially Postal Department and its’ employees are always friendly with the people and providing their services to the public. Even during this epidemic period, SL Post is providing services to the people in various ways. They have now taken the responsibility to distribute medicine to people who required it across the country. Department of Post is not charging any fee from the patients/recipients of medicines. This service is totally free of charge.
Due to COVID-19, mass gatherings are not be permitted. Elders and people who are suffering from non-communicable diseases are unable to attend their medical clinics as usual due to this pandemic situation. According to the request of the health sector, postal trade unions and employees have agreed to distribute medicine towards patients to protect their lives. To do it, postal employees have put their lives in to a significant risk during the epidemic period.
This humanitarian mission of SL Post is really praised by the government, media and public.
On 26th of March 2021, “The Morning” newspaper reported, “The Postal Department will deliver drugs to patients registered at government hospital clinics. This will be carried out by examining the clinic reports of patients, assembling and parceling prescribed medication at relevant hospitals and issuing parcels to area postal officers.
The medicines will then be delivered to patients’ door step through area postmen, the Government Information Department said.
Meanwhile, postal services will operate for a minimum 2 hours during non-curfew periods. The Government has also taken measures to use postal department vehicles and staff for distribution of essential goods to public.”
Superintendent of Central Mail Exchange, Mr. Aslam Hassan stated that Sri Lanka Post already distributed over 2.3 million medicine packs to the people since the beginning of this program. 2305217 amount of medicine packs have been delivered to the people as at 30th of September, 2021. Most significant aspect is, SL Post not charging any fee or a service charge for the service provided from the recipients. As a responsible Government Department, providing a helping hand to protect the lives of Sri Lankan people in this difficult situation is the ambition of this mission, rather than earning profits. The collaborative support providing by the Health Ministry and State Pharmaceutical Co-Operation of Sri Lanka to the Postal Department in order to carrying out this difficult and reliable service cannot be ignored.
Former Postal Minister, Mr. Keheliya Rambukwella praised this humanitarian mission publicly. He stated this fact at the Sri Lankan Parliament during the budget debate 2021. He further stated that, “If postal employees would not be able to distribute medicine to the people on time in this difficult period, the death count could be higher than this”.
Well known Postal trade union leader and the President of Sri Lanka Post and Telecommunication Services Union, comrade Chinthaka Bandara stated that, “COVID-19 epidemic period is a very difficult period to the entire world. Especially to the elder generation and people who are battling with non-communicable diseases. They are with a significant threat for their lives due to pandemic. This will getting much worst if they unable to get their medicines on time. Especially when the country is closed due to curfew, they are helpless. Hence we have decided to contribute to this humanitarian mission, though this is not include to the postal domain in Sri Lanka.”
Sri Lanka Post, State Pharmaceutical Corporation and Ministry of Health collaboratively attempt to protect the lives of Sri Lankan people. This contribution by SL Post to this mission is immense. Postal trade unions are also provide their support to this humanitarian mission. Altogether, this mission is to enable to secure lives of Sri Lankan people and it helps to reduce the amount of death count during this epidemic period. Political authority of Sri Lanka as well as public always hail this Humanitarian mission of SL Post. I’d like to take this opportunity to pay my tribute as well to all postal employees for the magnificent contribution to this humanitarian mission to protect the lives of people in Sri Lanka.
Article by,
Anuruddha Bandara Dasanayaka.
Assistant Secretary (International Activities) of Sri Lanka Post and Telecommunication Services Union.
&
UNI APRO Post & Logistic Sector Committee Member
(South Asia Region)
