Sri Lanka has held discussions regarding the implementation of an online system for the issuance and extension of overseas travel documents through Sri Lankan missions abroad, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The discussion on the new system took place recently (Jan 28), based on a request made by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Vijitha Herath.
Representing the IOM, the Head of the IOM in Sri Lanka, Christine Parko, took part in the discussion with Minister Vijitha Herath at the Foreign Ministry.
During the discussion, Christine Parko informed Minister Herath that by the end of this year, 20 Sri Lankan diplomatic missions selected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be connected to this online initiative, with all provisions being funded by the Government of Japan.
As a solution to the current issue faced by Sri Lankans abroad, which is the prolonged waiting time for obtaining travel documents, the proposed online system will allow applications to be submitted to the Department of Immigration and Emigration, fingerprints to be collected, and all processes to be completed at the consular offices.
Following the first phase, which will introduce the online system at 20 consular offices, Minister Herath requested Christine Parko to expand this service to other consular offices in the future.
Responding, Christine Parko confirmed that the IOM is ready to provide full support to Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry in this regard. (Newswire)
