Postal HQ relocation from Fort to give space for tourist hotel?

By Ashwin Hemmathagama

Authorities are now looking at moving the Postal Department from its current location at D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha in Colombo 10.

Chief Government Whip and Minister of Water Supply and Drainage Dinesh Gunawardena recently told Parliament that such a move would enable the Postal Department to have more space for its operations and would result in an increase in productivity.

“Already two lands have been identified. One is a land of 1.193ha in Narahenpita and the other is an 80 perch land on Lotus Road. Both these lands belong to the Postal Department. The final decision will be submitted to the Urban Development Authority, which will request a project proposal from the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka. The funds will be reserved and the commencement date will be decided later,” said Minister Gunawardana.

However, UNP MP Buddhika Pathirana had a different view on the proposed relocation. According to him, the existing building of the Postal Department Headquarters will be used for a tourist hotel.