Online appointment for one day service passport possible only after five months: Minister

24 January 2025 09:22 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 5 Bookmark

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By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala yesterday revealed that it takes five months for an applicant to make an online appointment to obtain a passport through the one day service.

He told Parliament that if an applicant makes an online appointment to obtain a passport through the one day service now, he would get a date only in July 2025.

Responding to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, he said a mechanism is in place to issue passports for those who want to migrate for emergency purposes.

The Minister said a committee is established for those who need passports urgently to confirm their urgency and obtain the passport within a day without going through the normal procedure.

He said some 2,900 passports are issued daily and added that it includes 800 passports through one day service, 650 passports through the special committee on emergency basis.

Responding to a question for the reason for the shortage, the Minister said the previous government had not ordered passports through proper calculation and that the government had taken steps to remedy the situation.

He said the Attorney General has been instructed to expedite the law suit on the passport issue, a panel of experts have been appointed to study the issue and submit a report and the government is planning to order 500,000 new passports.

He said tenders will be called to procure 500,000 passports and added that the situation with regard to the passport issue will come to normalcy by August this year.

Comments - 5

Roshanaly Friday, 24 January 2025 10:14 AM

It is a business going over at Passport Office, still the passport can be obtained in one day but for heavy price.

1 6

Fact Friday, 24 January 2025 11:07 AM

Sad state of affairs. Passport office was the most efficient Government Department setting the benchmark for others to follow. Practically a passport expires 6 months before the indicated date. That means one has to fix an appointment 12 months advance?

1 4

Gunapala Friday, 24 January 2025 12:20 PM

This is not what NPP promised before coming to power! Another failure by govt.

1 9

A Supporter of NPP Friday, 24 January 2025 12:46 PM

You guys declared during election campaign that you will do everything in one signature in almost in 24 hours. Now after 4 months in power you want another 5 months.

0 5

keni Friday, 24 January 2025 10:03 PM

Hon.Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala. Thank you very much for the message on the online appointment for the passport. Your system only gives the date of appointment for the new application. But we have already applied and paid the money on 01/03/2024. I received the message that all procedures have been completed. But so far we have not gotten my Passport. what do we do? Please answer.

0 2

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