February 12, Colombo (LNW): The Department of Immigration and Emigration has announced a temporary suspension of passport and visa processing after a technical fault disrupted its computer systems earlier today.
In a public notice, the Department stated that the interruption was caused by an unexpected system malfunction, affecting both on-site and certain online services. Officials said technical teams are working urgently to diagnose and rectify the problem in order to restore normal operations at the earliest opportunity.
The disruption has reportedly led to delays for applicants who had scheduled appointments, with some being advised to await further updates before visiting departmental offices. Authorities assured the public that once the system is fully restored, services will resume without delay and additional arrangements may be introduced to accommodate those affected.
The Department apologised for the inconvenience caused and emphasised that efforts are under way to ensure the integrity and security of all data during the restoration process.
Members of the public seeking clarification or urgent assistance have been advised to contact the Department via telephone on 011 210 1540 or 011 210 1545. Further updates will also be made available through the Department’s official website.
