One million passports issued in 2023; only 230,000 people migrated

16 August 2024 11:02 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 12 Bookmark

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Colombo, August 16 (Daily Mirror)- It was revealed that only 230,000 people had migrated in 2023 whereas one million passports had been issued in the same year.

This was revealed during the meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Open and Accountable Government held in Parliament recently.

The Immigration and Emigration Controller General Harsha Ilukpitiya said that nearly one million passports had been issued in 2023, but only 23% of them had been used and the remaining 77% of passports had not been used.

The officials of the Immigration and Emigration Department said that the obstacles to obtaining passports for pilgrims travelling to India and Nepal will be promptly removed.

The Chair of the Committee emphasized that it is the responsibility of the Immigration and Emigration Department to issue the requested passports so that the people are not inconvenienced, as it is the right of the people to get passports after paying for the same.

Comments - 12

Priyan66 Friday, 16 August 2024 11:24 AM

It's a people's right to obtain a passport legally. Government officials who take salaries on public money do not have any right to talk on this matter

4 28

Raven Friday, 16 August 2024 01:02 PM

Why not? Or is it that now you're annoyed that you're exposed? People are now realising the folly of leaving the country, which under Ranil is actually turning around from disaster?

7 3

Daya Friday, 16 August 2024 11:49 AM

Guys, you'll didn't issue free of charge, heafty charges. Shortage is due to poor planning. Don't bring excuses now. Take the responsibility.

3 27

Ama Friday, 16 August 2024 11:57 AM

Passport is not for migration, its for emmigration purpose. Everyone should have a one and it's not only a right of the citizen it must be issued by the country or government. If it's done with lot of deficulties simply the country is still in bancrupcy.

2 28

Siv Friday, 16 August 2024 12:04 PM

Hard to get visas.

1 11

Udhaya Jayampathy Friday, 16 August 2024 12:42 PM

So what? Obtaining a passport is a privilege enjoyed by any law abiding citizen of Sri Lanka.

0 7

Sokrates Friday, 16 August 2024 02:19 PM

And if someone gets a passport issued just to nail it to the wall at home, then that is none of the corrupt and incompetent officials' business.

1 6

Hopeful Citizen Friday, 16 August 2024 03:36 PM

230k migrated (meaning relocating to other countries) or travelled for business/work/holiday etc?

1 4

Smh Friday, 16 August 2024 03:44 PM

230K migrated but 770K left for work to send foreign exchange to fatten the bellies, I mean bank accounts, of politicians.

0 5

Ram P Friday, 16 August 2024 04:16 PM

So what? they must be waiting until their work applications are processed by the other countries. If the passports are applied it is the responsibility of the government to issue them

1 4

Ram P Friday, 16 August 2024 04:16 PM

So what? they must be waiting until their work applications are processed by the other countries. If the passports are applied it is the responsibility of the government to issue them

1 4

MUHUNTHAR RATNADURAI Friday, 16 August 2024 11:45 PM

M Ratna : This statistical interpretation is outdated and meaningless. Most countries provide visa for an ordinary SL citizen, after stringent process and getting a visa is time consuming matter, except 2-3 countries. We are now in August 24. Do you know how many numbers have used the 2023 passport traveled upto July 2024, after possibly delay in getting their visa ? Do you know how many used the passport in trying to get a visa and got it rejected and could not travel at all?

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