President urges citizens not to leave country amid digital progress

Colombo, September 4 (Daily Mirror) - President Ranil Wickremesinghe urged citizens of Sri Lanka not to rush to leave the country and said that the situation is improving and the country is progressing towards digitalisation.

He said this while speaking as the Presidential candidate at a recent forum held with professionals in Colombo.

In response to a question from a professional about the long queues at the Immigration and Emigration Department, he said that the new e-passport will be available in two weeks. 

The President apologised for the issues raised at the Immigration Department and explained that the government is transitioning from conventional passports to e-passports. 

He acknowledged delays in the procurement process and took responsibility on behalf of the government. 

Despite facing criticism for the current passport shortage, the President assured that by October, everyone will have their e-passports, and the issue will be resolved.

The department is working to issue more passports within the next two weeks, and the President emphasised that the e-passport will be more affordable than the current one.

He also asked the public to be patient as the government advances to the next stage of digitalisation.