Sri Lanka Post to introduce doorstep cash collection for utility bills

Consumers in Sri Lanka could pay their utility bills to the postman, when he comes to deliver mail from September 1. Postmaster General D.L.P. Rohana Abeyaratne said, “Cabinet approval has been granted to increase the amount of money a postman could hold during his hours of duty to Rs.20,000,”  and added that this would authorise postmen to accept cash for payments of utility bills such as electricity and telephone and insurance.”

Mr. Abeyaratne said the Postal Department was discussing with the National Water Supply and Drainage Board with regard to the payment of water bills.

He said a temporary bill would be issued by the postman when carrying out the transaction. Sri Lanka has about 8,000 working as postmen.

“The pilot project was carried out in the Uva Province and within three months the department had earned a profit of Rs.1.1million,” Mr. Abeyratne said.

He said with the new system functioning smoothly, the Postal Department hoped to expand it to other areas.

“All postal department employees will be paid an incentive bonus depending on the profit,” Mr. Abeyratne said.