STATE OF POST OFFICES AND POST BOXES IN COLOMBO

The state of post offices and the pillar boxes in and around Colombo is a disgrace to the country. When you go into any post office to purchase stamps or register a letter or parcel, its appearance and that of employees manning the counters is disgusting.

Sometimes customers have to hang around to purchase something as the staffer is not at the counter. The other employees within the office do not care to ask the customer what is required. Customer courtesy at post offices is nil.

If a customer wants stamps, postcards or aerogrammes when the sales counter is not manned, an idling staffer could surely attend to him. But that does not happen in Sri Lanka. And rarely is the postmaster seen doing a round to ensure that the customers are being served without delay.

The Postmaster General (PMG) should go on occasional random inspections to see how the post offices countrywide function and what their shortcomings are. But that will never happen in Sri Lanka! All the post offices in Colombo need a face lift to give them a brighter look. Also, the employees should be smartly dressed, and no one should be allowed to smoke or chew betel while at work.

Most post boxes around Colombo need a coat of paint. Corrosion has set in in some and this should be attended to urgently as rainwater could seep in and damage letters inside.

The PMG should get his act together and ensure a better service to the public.

HM NISSANKA WARAKAULLE