President opens Suhurupaya

President Maithripala Sirisena says the Government will take action to strengthen the laws and regulations on immigration, emigration and the registration of persons. He said action will be taken to establish new laws and regulations according to requirement.

He pointed out that the issue of immigrants has posed a severe challenge to Western countries. “We will take effective actions according to new plans to avoid negative effects in our country”, he said.

The President was speaking at the ceremony to relocate the Department of Immigrations and Emigrations and the Department of Registration of Persons in the new building ‘Suhurupaya’ in Battaramulla on Thursday.

He stated that he would convene the officials of those departments for the next Security Council meeting to discuss rising challenges.

The Suhurupaya is equipped with facilities including technical tools to provide more efficient and effective service for people.

President Sirisena pointed out that people face difficulties due to fewer facilities in the institutions which provide services to them. “This is a task which should have been fulfilled before this. But we are satisfied that the current Government has fulfilled its duty to the people despite delays”, he said.

“It is the responsibility of the staff to deliver services to the people in a way that leaves them satisfied”, the President stated.

Ministers S. B. Navinna, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Daya Gamage, Deputy Ministers Palitha Thewarapperuma and Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Secretary to the President P.B. Abeykoon, Defense Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi and Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundara were also among those participated in the ceremony.