Endless queues at Immigration Department amid unresolved passport issues

Colombo, January 27 (Daily Mirror) - The queues at the Immigration and Emigration Department still appear endless, with people waiting to obtain their passports. 

However, it has been reported that the ongoing passport issues have not yet been resolved.

An official from the department told the Daily Mirror that people who require their passports under the one-day service for immediate departures are seen waiting at the department to obtain them.

He mentioned that those who need immediate passports must report to a committee appointed by the department with their documents. After interviewing the applicant, a new date will be provided, he said.

The queue was filled with such people. The committee will assign a recent date based on the applicant’s requirements. The official also mentioned that the ongoing passport issues have not yet been resolved.

People in the queues claimed that they had to wait more than 24-hours to get their passports under the one-day service after paying Rs. 20,000. They reported having to sleep on the floor and were unable to leave the queues, even for sanitary needs.

However, the Immigration official claimed that certain officials and security personnel deployed at the department lacked knowledge and experience, which result in embarrassing situations for those in the queues.  

The public is inconvenienced, as there is no one to discuss their issues with. Everyone, including high-profile individuals and religious leaders have been waiting in the queues for days to obtain their passports.