SL Post offers personalised stamps to celebrate those special moments

In a bid to mark World Post Day, Sri Lanka Post is hosting a special philatelic exhibition which kicked off today at its headquarters down D R Wijewardena Mawatha. 

The exhibition which began today (August 2) will continue till Sunday (Aug 04) and include more than 25 stalls by exhibitors selling their stamps as well as other unique exhibits. However, an interesting and one-of-a-kind initiative in keeping with the exhibition is the option of obtaining personalized stamps.

"We've opened up options to the public to obtain personalized stamps which can be used for paid postage anywhere in the island," Rajitha Ranasinghe, Deputy Post Master General, told Times Online.

Mr. Ranasinghe said for those who are looking to celebrate an anniversary, wedding,  birthday or any other special event, the personalized stamps offer a unique way to mark the occasion.

"A sheet of twenty personalized stamps can be bought for Rs 2,000," Mr. Ranasainghe said adding that previously the cost for personalized stamps use to be much higher. 

Further, Mr. Ranasinghe said special security measures have been put in place when printing these personalized stamps.

"These measures have been put in place to prevent any misuse. We will verify the identity of the individuals who seek to obtain these stamps. In addition, there is a stringent application process that has to be followed,"  he said. 

Recently Sri Lank Post launched an app as well that now enables those overseas to purchase Sri Lankan stamps with ease. We are told that most online stamp purchases originate from countries such as India and China. 

Explaining the popularity behind Sri Lankan stamps, Mr. Ranasinghe told Times Online that unlike other countries the images used in Sri Lankan stamps are mostly hand-drawn.

What's more, the country's rare fauna and flora feature prominently in commissioned drawings by local artistes who get the opportunity to have their works showcased across the globe through these local stamps.

To learn more about obtaining personalized stamps contact the Postal Department's Philatelic Bureau.

(Pix and text by Amila Gamage)