Issuing passports further limited due to shortage of blank passports

26 August 2024 09:31 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 14 Bookmark

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Colombo, August 26 (Daily Mirror) - The Department of Immigration and Emigration said that the issuing of passports will be further limited due to a shortage of blank passports.

Controller General of Immigration and Emigration said that the government has initiated steps to introduce new electronic passports and has also awarded a tender to a foreign company for their supply through an international bidding process.

In response to the current shortage, the department has arranged to procure 50,000 standard passports from the same company that is supplying the electronic passports.

This batch is expected to arrive in the country by the end of October or earlier.

Therefore, the public is requested to apply for passports only for essential reasons until the new stock of blank passports becomes available.

According to the department's reports, only 23% of passport holders who were issued passports last year have travelled abroad.

The Department of Immigration and Emigration regrets the inconvenience caused to the public due to the delay in issuing passports.

Comments - 14

Buddhist Monday, 26 August 2024 10:43 PM

How can anyone vote for a president who cannot issue passports or online visas to visitors? This shows how ineffective he is.

6 21

Ananda Weerasekera Tuesday, 27 August 2024 01:37 AM

Not that he cannot issue passports.. but he is giving his usual free hand for corruption. That is his 47-year record in politics,

1 2

Susantha Tuesday, 27 August 2024 04:49 AM

It’s not the president who does everything in govt you idiot. At least know who to complain about. All you people do is just complain about others.

1 2

Tissa Fernando Monday, 26 August 2024 11:18 PM

Looks like that some politicians are trying to disrupt fundamental right of citizens to have a passport to tavel outside the country. The responsible minister should be held responsible for the shortage. The same Minister was responsible for bringing in an Indian company to manage visa issuance process allowing these Indians to charge exorbitant fees and cumbersome process. Ranil is making his own demise by keeping these rougues around him.

0 1

ignatius Tuesday, 27 August 2024 02:31 AM

Come on Sri Lanka. Wake up. Simple procedure. The more Sri Lankans get jobs abroad - The more money to pay down debt.

0 1

Saji Tuesday, 27 August 2024 03:25 AM

Whether people travel or not, getting a passport is a basic right. What a stupid stupid excuse. Also, people are paying for it. There seems to be some type of corruption where some on is making money...incompetent head who does not know what he is talking about ...continuously coming and telling people are not using passport what a jocker

0 1

CJ Tuesday, 27 August 2024 03:32 AM

Regardless of whether they plan to travel abroad imminently, every citizen has the right to apply for a passport. The failure of the authorities to procure new passports in time does not mean that people cannot apply for them. The emigration authorities are entirely at fault, especially the progigal subject minister responsible for this oversight.

0 1

Ram P Tuesday, 27 August 2024 05:22 AM

A President who failed to cause the Passports issued to the people who need Passports wants to come again. If he is returned the country

1 0

Daisy Tuesday, 27 August 2024 05:53 AM

Uh maybe they used it to print the presidential voting list ....

0 1

Sokrates Tuesday, 27 August 2024 07:58 AM

The best thing would be to leave the issuing of passports to VFS. Then there will always be enough passports available. Triran Alles will take care of this without lengthy tendering processes. However, this would increase the cost of a passport by at least US$ 30.

0 2

Sambo Tuesday, 27 August 2024 07:58 AM

You all are out of control. No brains in having a required stock. So many people are stuck traveling abroad with this limitation.

0 1

M. R. Gouse Hassen Tuesday, 27 August 2024 08:46 AM

Are we paying taxes to experience this stupid blunders? Where our tax money goes? This is not acceptable

0 0

David Silva Tuesday, 27 August 2024 09:21 AM

What a pathetic state of affairs. This is a basic fundamental right for a citizen. These idiots (both politicians and govt servants) can't issue a passport, a drivers license nor a visit visa. I blame both politicians and govt servants alike, they are all incompetent.

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Janaka rathnagoda Tuesday, 27 August 2024 10:06 AM

VFS deal of Tiran Alles is the reason for all these chaos.

0 1

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