A visibly frustrated Postal Department worker, speaking to reporters while half-dressed in his uniform, tore into the authorities for what he described as deliberate lies about the ongoing islandwide postal strike.

“They keep feeding the public nonsense,” he said, pointing a finger at the Postal Minister among others. “We are not striking because of fingerprints or overtime. We are striking because we can’t live on these salaries and allowances.”

The worker laid out the grievances bluntly: Rs. 600 to stitch a uniform, Rs. 250 as a bicycle allowance, and no security of employment for contract workers. “Is this enough for anyone to survive? They act like these scraps are sufficient,” he scoffed.