By: Isuru Parakrama
November 04, Colombo (LNW): The Department of Immigration and Emigration has received a shipment of 50,000 ‘P’ category passports, fulfilling part of a recent contract with a supplier responsible for passport production.
To meet the rising demand, an additional 100,000 passports are expected by the end of November, followed by another 150,000 in December, as confirmed by the department.
A further procurement process is already underway to ensure a steady passport supply, aiming to address the surge in applications.
Department officials stated that currently, 1,600 passports are issued daily, with plans to gradually increase this number from December until daily demand is fully met.
To streamline the application process, the department is set to implement an online booking system, allowing applicants to schedule an appointment with specific date and time slots.
This new procedure, aimed at improving convenience and reducing wait times, is anticipated to roll out in the coming weeks.