“The first grave incident”, ‘La Poste’ admits

12 January 2012 06:49 am - 8 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The French postal service ‘La Poste’ has admitted that the printing of pro-LTTE postage stamps is “the first grave incident” that it has encountered in the printing of personalised stamps.

In a statement posted on its website, La Poste also says that its division Phil@poste has been a “victim of unscrupulous and manipulative customers”.

La Poste states that in addition to written apologies, François Chalvet, Director of Sales and Marketing, and Louis Virgile, Director of Strategy and International have apologised to Dr. Dayan Jayatilleke, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to France, in person.

The English language translation of its statement is given below:

In December 2011, a customer ordered, on the website of Montimbramoi (Myownstamp), sheets of personalised postal stamps (PPS) representing members and symbols of the Tamil movement “Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam”, an organisation listed as terrorist by the European Union since 2006. These stamps were printed on December 14, 2011, a holiday season during which the printing office of Phil@poste in Boulazac had to deal with more than 2,000 requests of personalised postal stamps per week. Moreover, a few days ago, people posing as “cultural actors” also had stamps printed at the Carré d’Encre shop.

It should be recalled that, in the Montimbramoi general terms and conditions of sale, the customer must validate on the website, for each order, the visuals he chose, then engaging his own liability. In addition to this, the commercial teams perform a systematic verification of the proposed visuals. In this moment of “overload”, these personalised postal-stamps exceptionally escaped the vigilance of the said control. For over five years, this is the first grave incident that Phil@poste has known in the printing of personalised postal stamps.

Since several days, Phil@poste has been in touch with both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Paris on this matter. All doubts have been clarified regarding the liability of Phil@poste, victim of unscrupulous and manipulative customers.

Beyond the written apologies, François Chalvet, Director of Sales and Marketing, and I have met this Thursday, January 5, His Excellency the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to apologise in person on behalf of Phil@poste.

Louis Virgile, Director - Strategy and International

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 8

Fayad Thursday, 12 January 2012 07:17 AM

If we print Bin ladens stamp what will be the west's reaction.
UN Sanctions for supporting terrorism..
Mistake is accepted, hope it will not repeat.

Nodrog Thursday, 12 January 2012 07:12 AM

Tamils who created this stamp have been called “unscrupulous and manipulative customers” by Frence authorities. Other nations that harbor these elements also be aware.

Nodrog Thursday, 12 January 2012 07:30 AM

at least now the countries that harbor and support these radical groups must realize how cunning and devious these people are and the lies they will spread to promote their cause.

Mohideen. Thursday, 12 January 2012 08:08 AM

Is only apologies enough?...please take proper action to recall all stamps which you print....

Sirisara Thursday, 12 January 2012 09:58 AM

An apology is definitely not enough. If they were cheated, they must invalidate the stamps and prohibit their usage in the postal system...

mac Thursday, 12 January 2012 03:04 PM

somebody got to print bin ladens photos.

kane Thursday, 12 January 2012 05:03 PM

Aiyo! It is done automatically,

niyaz noordeen Friday, 13 January 2012 02:44 PM

What a load of crap. Do they take Sri Lankans to be morons like they are. Careful my dear " frenchies" they will bite your hand one day.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

“The first grave incident”, ‘La Poste’ admits

Comments - 8

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

New Visa procedure implemented

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

No footboard riding allowed, no liability for accidents: Railways Department

Six patients claim Rs.600 million from Keheliya and others for permanent loss of sight

SLPP, UNP initiates action for forming broad alliance

Here is the way!

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident