Long queues have been reported at the Passport Office due to the increase in demand following the government’s announcement of receiving new passport books, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath said.
Addressing the media today, Minister Herath said that Sri Lanka expects to receive more passports in batches in the future.
More passports expected in November;
The government has commenced receiving new passport books in batches, with the first few arriving last week.
Minister Vijitha Herath said that another 100,000 passports are expected to be received in mid-November.
He said with the order placed for 750,000 passport books, the government will be able to issue new passports over the next four to six months.
Passport issuance capacity;
The Government Spokesman said that currently only 1600 passports are being issued per day, at present.
Despite an original capacity of 3500 passports per day, he said due to the new passports being issued in batches, the Passport Office can only manage to issue 1600 passports per day.
He further said that a stock of passports is kept separate to be issued for cabin crew members, forces personnel, and those requiring to travel for serious illnesses and deaths of family members.
Request to the public;
Minister Vijitha Herath assured that the government was taking every possible measure to address the passport shortage and continue the issuance of passports.
He urged only those with urgent requirements to obtain passports under the current circumstances. (Newswire)