Thursday Nov 21, 2024
Thursday Nov 21, 2024
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By Charumini de Silva
Sri Lanka has issued an all-time high of 874,955 passports last year with the Immigration and Emigration Department amidst challenges rising to the challenge of unprecedented demand primarily influenced by migration.
As per the department's history, the highest number of passports issued was in 2016, at 658,725 for the entire year. The output of 2022 is 33% higher than the previous high in 2016.
The latest data from the Immigration and Emigration Department shows that passport issuance in 2022 has increased sharply by 492, 435 or 129% from 382,560 passports in 2021. In COVID-hit 2020 the total number of passports issued was 209,411.
Sri Lanka’s demand for foreign employment has increased significantly over the past few months, as the hardships faced by all walks of life are escalating by the day.
The rise in demand for passports has seen a significant increase from the latter part of 2021 with the ongoing economic crisis and multiple other challenges faced by the public on a daily basis.
Over 50,000 passports were issued each month and June recorded the highest outcome of 122,491 passports issued in any month during the year.In January 52,278, February 55,381, March 74,890, April 53,151, May 52,945, July 98,124 and August 115,286 passports were issued.
However, with the Government deciding to increase the fees levied on passports with effect from 17 November, the Immigration and Emigration Department said they saw a slight slowdown in applications received.
As per the new revision, 10 passport-related fees increased. For the issuance of passports under normal service Rs. 5,000 is charged, while Rs. 20,000 is charged for the one-day service.
In November 69,064 and in December 69,905 passports were issued.
With the sudden rise in demand for new passports, the Department issues about 2,500-3,000 passports daily under one-day service, exceeding its normal capacity.
Over 270,000 individuals have left the country through official channels to take up employment overseas in 2022.
“Total departures for foreign employment during January-November 2022 were recorded at 276,527 which exceeded the annual departures in the pre-pandemic period. Total departures for foreign employment were recorded at 25,376 during November 2022. Total departures of foreign employment comprised unskilled (9,337), skilled (7,334) and domestic aid (6,058) categories,” the latest Central Bank data showed.
It also added that November workers’ remittances increased to $ 384 million compared to $ 355 million in the previous month, recording the highest monthly remittances thus far during 2022.
