'Only Middle East Countries' passports -- Issuance to end on Dec.31

27 December 2018 05:10 pm - 10 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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In view of Sri Lanka introducing the e-passport service to its citizens, the issuance of passports valid 'Only For Middle East Countries' would no longer be issued from December 31 this year, the Immigration and Emigration Department said today.

Immigration and Emigration Controller General M.N. Ranasinghe said only passports valid for 'All Countries' will be issued from January 1, 2019.

He said the department was hoping to implement the e-passport project soon with an electronic chip that carries the owner's biodata.

“Most Sri Lankans who have passports valid only for 'Middle East Countries' have to obtain another passport when they need to travel for jobs in countries like South Korea and Cyprus. We have placed orders for only 'all countries passports' to be issued until the implementation of the e-passport project,” Mr. Ranasinghe said.

However, the department had earlier reported a shortage of new passports because of the delay in implementing e-passports scheduled for early this year. (Darshana Sanjeewa)

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Comments - 10

GH Thursday, 27 December 2018 06:46 PM

Should have done long before.

ShanShar Thursday, 27 December 2018 06:59 PM

I never knew the reason for this split. But I always had felt that it was a bit of an invisible class system. But glad that this is coming to an end.

mohan Friday, 28 December 2018 04:45 AM

For that you should no the history of all country passport. ols days a govt. staff have to sign bond in order to get all country passport (max 3 bond per staff). later in premadasa period it was change to extra $ 1500 (market rate for signing bond at that time ). we had 3 type of passport for ordinary citizen (SE asia, ME , ALL), basically it's like a concession. people going to ME countries as workers needs this concession. it may looks small amount for as but for them its very big amount. sad to see govt giving 3 day notice

Rala Friday, 28 December 2018 11:27 AM

So it confirms that it was to create a class system with two tiers of payments for two geographical limitations in passport. @ Mohan, Any other country that has this nonsense system? What is really a burden on people going for employment is the Rs 18,000 charge by the Foreign Employment Bureau, not the all country passport.

das Thursday, 27 December 2018 08:07 PM

May be its time to stop going to the middle east

mrazzan Friday, 28 December 2018 01:53 AM

we have to find alternative to eat.90% of expatriate Sri Lankans reside in the Middle East.

ram Thursday, 27 December 2018 08:17 PM

another way to increase revenue. sorry of poor people.

mrazzan Friday, 28 December 2018 01:55 AM

Passport price should be decreased. to apple through embassy is 25000 LKR.

Waco Friday, 28 December 2018 03:11 AM

Nothing is done on time .

Ravi Friday, 28 December 2018 04:15 AM

Makes sense

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'Only Middle East Countries' passports -- Issuance to end on Dec.31

Comments - 10

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