August 27, Colombo (LNW): The Department of Immigration and Emigration has announced a temporary restriction on issuing passports due to a critical shortage of blank passport books.
The department has urged applicants to only seek passports for urgent needs until the situation stabilises.
In a statement, the department explained that the supply of blank passports is currently limited, primarily affecting those in need of travel documents.
To address this issue, authorities have placed an order for 750,000 passport books, which are expected to arrive by late October. Until then, the issuance of passports will remain restricted.
The department also noted that plans are underway to introduce new electronic passports, with an international firm already awarded the tender to supply these documents.
However, delays in finalising the tender have exacerbated the current shortages. Public Security Minister Tiran Alles recently acknowledged that bureaucratic delays have hindered the timely procurement of new passports.
He disclosed that while the daily demand is for around 3,000 passports, the department is only able to issue 900 at present due to the ongoing shortages.
The situation has highlighted gaps in Sri Lanka’s passport management system, which has struggled with inefficiencies and inadequate planning.
As the country anticipates the arrival of new supplies, many citizens remain in limbo, waiting for their travel documents in an increasingly strained environment.
