Sri Lanka is set to roll out a major digital upgrade to its consular services, with the Cabinet approving a project that will introduce biometric technology for overseas passport applications.
The initiative, to be piloted at 20 foreign missions, aims to speed up passport processing for Sri Lankans abroad while enhancing security and reducing administrative delays.
The project is being financed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which will provide funds, technical support, and equipment. It includes setting up biometric data capture points, installing secure digital systems, and linking missions directly to the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo.
According to officials, the system will allow applicants to provide fingerprints, photos, and other biometric data at missions, with direct integration into Sri Lanka’s online passport platform. Missions in countries with large Sri Lankan communities will be prioritized, though specific locations have not been disclosed.
“This project will improve services for our expatriates and clear backlogs through digital passport processing at missions,” a senior Foreign Ministry official said.
Globally, countries such as Switzerland already employ similar biometric systems for citizen services and border security. The Cabinet emphasized that Sri Lanka’s program will comply with international privacy and security standards recommended by IOM.
The Department of Immigration and Emigration will oversee infrastructure and operations, covering data capture, verification, and the issuing of secure documents.
Officials say the project marks a step towards smarter, technology-driven governance by digitizing identity services and easing access for the Sri Lankan diaspora.
