Passport crisis continues amid legal dispute and delays 

• Public Security Minister Vijitha Herath assures Govt. taking all steps to address issue with Court’s guidance 
• Expects stock of 47,500 passports later this month, but further delays are anticipated due to need for new laminating machine, printing licences held by former supplier
• Claims passport issue stems from previous administration’s attempt to introduce e-passport system

Cabinet Spokesman and Public Security Minister Vijitha Herath yesterday said the country is grappling with a passport shortage due to an ongoing legal dispute and administrative blunder.

In response to queries posed by the journalists at the post-Cabinet meeting media briefing, he explained that the country is unable to issue new passports after a Supreme Court order halted the process, while returning to the previous supplier is complicated by a past Cabinet decision.

“The Government is taking all necessary steps to address this issue with the Court’s guidance,” he assured, adding that discussions are ongoing with the Attorney General’s Department and the Immigration Department.

The Cabinet Spokesman said the Department of Immigration and Emigration expects an initial stock of 47,500 passports later this month, but further delays are anticipated due to the need for a new laminating machine and printing licences held by the former supplier. 

He also said the Government representatives are expected to present the case when the Court reviewed the interim order yesterday (1).

The Minister claimed that the passport issue stems from the previous administration’s attempt to introduce an e-passport system. “The contract was awarded to a new supplier, but the company failed to meet its June deadline, leaving the Department of Immigration and Emigration with only 50,000 passports in stock, far below the daily demand of 3,000-3,500 passports,” he added.

Herath alleged that this shortage led to long queues and the introduction of an online appointment system, which was later discontinued due to logistical challenges. 

“When the e-passports were not delivered, the previous Government sought to procure ordinary passports from the new supplier, in an unsolicited bid. This move was then legally challenged by the former passport supplier resulting in the current Court order,” he said, describing it as ‘very complex situation’.