Passport queues resurface despite promised reforms

Tuesday, 28 January 2025 02:59 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Department of Immigration and Emigration (DIE) has seen long queues resurface with many citizens waiting to obtain passports under the one-day service.

This comes amid Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala last week expressing confidence that the Government would stabilise passport issuance by August 2025, citing planned reforms and system improvements.

Despite these assurances, ongoing challenges remained unresolved with applicants reporting significant delays.

Most individuals in the queue require immediate passports for urgent travel and are subject to a new process requiring reviews by a dedicated committee within the DIE.

As per the Minister, the committee is tasked with evaluating and processing urgent passport applications. Those with pressing needs can present their cases to this committee, which ensures that the process is expedited.

However, applicants claim that this process is further compounding the delay.

Individuals waiting in queue voiced frustration over the inefficiency of the system, noting that obtaining a passport under the one-day service, which costs Rs. 20,000, often takes over 24 hours.

Many described sleeping on the pavement and being unable to leave the queue for basic needs, emphasising the toll the DIE delays are taking on the applicants.

Minister Wijepala revealed last week that the Government plans to float a tender for 500,000 new passports on Monday (yesterday) to address the shortfall.

He affirmed that around 2,900 passports are issued daily at present, exceeding the planned capacity of 2,500 – largely due to the volume of urgent requests.

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