Iconic Nuwara Eliya Post Office building to be developed for tourism

Friday, 27 June 2025 00:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Cabinet repeals decision to transfer Nuwara Eliya Post Office building and land to UDA

The Cabinet of Ministers on Tuesday approved repealing an earlier decision to transfer the iconic Nuwara Eliya Post Office building and its land to the Urban Development Authority (UDA), and to instead modernise the said property to enhance tourist attraction and to develop new revenue generation channels.

Addressing the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing on Wednesday, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said the Government will continue the operations of the Post Office as earlier, while preparing to utilise it for tourism promotion activities as well.

The Post Office in Nuwara Eliya is a Tudor-style two-storey red-brick building with a clock spire constructed in 1894 by the British, and hundreds of local and international tourists visit this to see and send post cards home. The new decision comes after the former Government in 2023 proposed to convert the colonial era-built Nuwara Eliya Post Office into a hotel following a proposal by India’s Taj Group (https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Taj-proposes-converting-Nuwara-Eliya-s-colonial-era-post-office-to-hotel/44-754974). The move drew a string of protests from people, trade unions, and other organisations. Thereafter, on 29 April 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers approved to transfer the Nuwara Eliya Post Office building to the UDA.

However, in October 2024, the new Government announced that the 130-year-old iconic Nuwara Eliya Post Office building, along with its premises, will be used exclusively for Postal Department operations (https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Govt-to-preserve-iconic-Nuwara-Eliya-Post-Office/44-767786).

Sri Lanka Post has also been in existence for more than 209 years, with a proud history and heritage.