The Controller-General of Immigration and Emigration, Harsha Ilukpitiya says an online passport application system will be implemented in the coming days pursuant to President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s initiative to digitize the public service.
He said this new process aims to streamline the passport application process and ensure that passports are delivered to applicants’ residences within a span of three days.
During his appearance on the ‘101 Katha’ program produced by the Presidential Media Division (PMD), Ilukpitiya highlighted the development of this procedure and its wide availability.
To facilitate the efficient delivery of passports, Ilukpitiya said 50 regional secretariats across the island have been equipped with the necessary facilities.
Once applicants submit their relevant applications to the nearest Regional Secretariat and complete the required procedures, the passport would be dispatched to their residence via a courier service within three days.
This initiative comes in response to reports of brokers causing disruptions in the passport issuance process, according to the Immigration and Emigration chief.
As a result, Minister of Public Security Tiran Alas issued instructions to the Immigration & Emigration Department to develop an innovative program to eliminate such interference. The department aims to popularize this newly designed program during the month of June, marking a significant milestone in its history.
Achieving a successful execution of this program during the department’s 75th anniversary next year would be a remarkable accomplishment, Ilukpitiya noted.
Under the new system, individuals can conveniently apply for passports from their homes by visiting the official website of the department – www.immigration.gov.lk.