Prez seeks AG’s intervention to expedite hearing e-passport case

20 January 2025 09:22 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 7 Bookmark

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Against the backdrop of the passport crisis worsening by the day, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake instructed the Attorney General to intervene in hearing the court case regarding the e-passport tender floated during the time of the last government in an expeditious manner, a Minister said yesterday.

In July last year, the then government announced that Thales and its local partner Just in Time Technologies (JITT) had been awarded the contract to supply the country with 750,000 machine-readable passports and five million e-passports with biometric chips meeting the latest International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.

However, the Court of Appeal halted the government-approved contract after a petition was filed by Epic Lanka, a former supplier and the losing bidder.

There was a change of government in between. The court later cleared the purchase of 750,000 machine-readable passports from Thales.

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala told the Daily Mirror that the President had requested the Attorney General's intervention to expedite the court case, allowing the government to find a permanent solution to the issue.

"Such instructions have been given since this is a national issue," he said.

However, he said it would at least take one year for Sri Lanka to be ready with e-passports for its nationals under normal circumstances.

"The Attorney General has instructed us to proceed with other steps for e-passports pending the outcome of the court case. Still, it will take time for us to prepare, " he said.

As a result, he said the government decided to procure 500,000 copies of the 'P' series passport as a stopgap measure.

The Public Security Ministry held a meeting yesterday in this regard, and the government would go for an open tender to procure these copies since the passports of the previous stock of 750,000 will be sufficient only for the first half of this year.

Sri Lankans are facing delays and hassles in obtaining passports.

Comments - 7

Jude Monday, 20 January 2025 09:39 AM

One thing is evident most lankans want to get out of the country in a hurry.

1 6

Jude Monday, 20 January 2025 09:41 AM

What I can't understand is why things like issuing passports cannot be expedite in timely fashion.

1 5

Jude Monday, 20 January 2025 09:43 AM

What I find is the government needs time to do things!!!

1 5

Sunil Ranasinghe Monday, 20 January 2025 10:51 AM

All because previous government's didn't have a full proof procurement tender system thus opening doors for fraud and corruption. Corruption will result in public funds going wasted.This government is keen for zero corruption and is fixing processes and procedures which takes time. So, citizens be patient only then we can have a better country.Otherwise you will see Citizen Silva owning 50 houses and Citizen Perera living under a bridge with flood waters and mud.This nonsense must end.We have to be a social democracy.

2 8

Gabriella Monday, 20 January 2025 10:29 AM

The Immigration Department is an open cesspool. I challenge anyone to find the current ministers name on any website and a contact address. The current controller a Ms Balasooriya doesn't appear to have the competence to initiate the necessary departmental restructure or streamlining of processes. Any letters of complaint are not be answered. A simple renewal of a visa will entail standing in front of a Deputy Visa Controlers office for up to two hours. Then standing like schoolchildren in front of their desks; with little privacy as other people in the queue have decided to also enter the office. Then "you" find out that the information provided by the previous Deputy Visa Controller is not correct and the whole process has to be repeated on another day. If the visa is granted the ordeal continues for another 4 hrs before the paper work is completed and the passport returned. Also, the haughty arrogance of these Officers needs to be addressed. This shambolic operation is not a rec

0 4

A Supporter of Justice Monday, 20 January 2025 11:57 AM

Prez must also order CID to investigate the corrupt politicians and political murderers and order AG to take suspected culprits to courts. NPP received a massive mandate because public wanted a government to take actions against corrupt politicians and murderers. So far, no action has taken against any culprits.

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R Navaratnam Monday, 20 January 2025 08:04 PM

Prequalify bidders would be the way to go. Authorities should think ahead of possible problems and act early on the bidding process.

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