Passports to be issued via new system from 1 June: Commissioner General

Controller General I.S.H.J. Ilukpitiya

The Immigration and Emigration Department Controller General I.S.H.J. Ilukpitiya anno-unced yesterday that passports will be issued via a new system from 1 June.

The move comes after people who have come from countrywide expressed their displeasure over not having a fair system to issue passports. They claimed that the Department officials and third-party individuals were involved in backhander activities to avoid long queues, while the majority of them were waiting for days.

 “Work is underway to issue passports via a new system from next month. The public can submit their applications online and give their biometrics at Provincial Councils from 1 June. This will allow the Department to streamline the procedure to issue passports,” he added.

As per him, the streamlined process will allow applicants to receive the passport within three days of submission and those going through the normal procedure; will receive the passport via post within two weeks.

He said the move will help to ease the number of footfall to the head office daily. The Commissioner General also emphasised not to pay an additional amount to any third party to obtain the passport and to inform the Department of such individuals.