Issuing passports further limited due to shortage of blank passports

• Only 23% of passport holders who were issued passports last year have travelled abroad

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

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.