February 09, Colombo (LNW): In an effort to improve accessibility and streamline passport services, the Department of Immigration and Emigration has announced plans to open a new office in Jaffna, aimed at serving the residents of the Northern Province more efficiently.
In addition to this, the Department has decided to increase the daily number of passports issued, responding to the growing demand for travel documents.
Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala revealed that this move forms part of the government’s broader strategy to make vital services more accessible to the public.
Speaking at a recent meeting with officials from the Immigration Department, Minister Wijepala highlighted the government’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the efficiency and reach of passport issuance across the country.
The new Jaffna office will operate around the clock, offering 24-hour services to cater to the needs of the local population.
To ensure smooth operations, the Ministry has also approved the recruitment of additional staff, with the proposal already submitted to the Government Services Commission.
A decision on the recruitment is expected within the next few days.
This initiative is being launched alongside other measures aimed at expediting passport processing nationwide. In January 2025, the Ministry of Public Security confirmed that the number of passports issued daily would increase to 2,500, significantly reducing wait times for applicants.
The opening of the Jaffna office is expected to be a major benefit to the residents of the Northern Province, many of whom previously had to travel to Colombo or other far-flung offices to access passport services.
