While announcing that the Cabinet has decided to call fresh tenders for passport issuance, to address the ongoing shortage, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath requested the public on 29 October to apply for passports only for urgent needs.
Minister Herath informed the media that the tender process will take a few months. He stated that the Cabinet aims to initiate this process promptly to ensure a continuous supply of new passports once the current order for 750,000 passports concludes.
“In the current circumstances and following a recent Court order, the government has procured 750,000 passports from a new company selected by the previous administration, while the printing rights were granted to the former supplier,” he explained.
He noted that the current stock of 750,000 passports would last only four to six months and that passports are being issued in batches. As such, with the current order expected to run out in the coming months, the Cabinet has approved the government’s decision to call for fresh tenders now to prevent a future shortage.
Minister Herath also mentioned that the Immigration Department is receiving sufficient passport stock and urged those needing passports for long-term purposes to wait a little longer. The department is currently issuing 1,600 passports per day to meet demand.
Additionally, Minister Herath acknowledged that the online passport application system has failed due to various fraudulent activities. He announced plans to revise the online system, stating that tokens will be issued to a limited number of people each day for passport processing.
On the same day, many individuals gathered outside the Battaramulla Immigration Department, expecting to receive their passports. Those waiting in line expressed frustration over the lack of basic sanitary facilities.
𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞, 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞, 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥!
📌YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@serendibnews
📌Facebook – https://web.facebook.com/serendibnews.com.au/
📌Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/serendibnewsau
📌TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@serendibnews
📌Twitter- https://x.com/SerendibNewsAu
📌LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/serendib-news-au/
📌WhatsApp Group – https://tinyurl.com/2as67j52
📌WhatsApp Channel – https://tinyurl.com/bdf8f2jr
