Colombo, Oct. 7 -- The Postal Department must become a self-sustaining institution, warning that if it fails to generate profit, the government may need to reconsider maintaining it with treasury funds, Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has said.

Speaking at a ceremony at Araliyagaha Mandiraya yesterday, where 731 permanent postal assistants received their appointment letters, Dr. Jayatissa said, "Now the salaries of postal workers have been increased. Before the salary hike, the department's income was Rs. 14,000 million while expenditure was Rs. 18,000 million. We provide these funds, but if the department cannot become profitable, we must think whether to continue maintaining it with treasury money." the minister sa...