Sri Lanka: Postal Service declared essential as workers go on strike

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Secretary to the President issued an extraordinary gazette on Wednesday (8) declaring the postal service as an essential service.

The announcement came as postal workers across the country went on strike against the decision taken to convert the Nuwara Eliya, and Kandy post office buildings into hotels. 

Built in 1894, during the colonial period, the Post Office in  Nuwara Eliya is one of the few ancient buildings owned by the Sri Lanka Postal Department. 

The Nuwara Eliya Post Office was built according to the Victorian Model, belongs to the UK building culture, and is also a key landmark that attracts visitors to Nuwara Eliya.

The building is popular among tourists as "The Pink Post Office".

Dr. Bandula Gunawardana, the Cabinet Spokesperson, told reporters on Tuesday (7) that the Nuwara Eliya Post Office building was in bad shape, and had to be converted for productive use.