Ministry says lower demand, high cost end 24-hour passport service

Colombo, May 30 (Daily Mirror) - The Ministry of Public Security said that the decision to end the 24-hour passport issuing service at the Department of Immigration and Emigration was made after considering the high operational costs of maintaining the round-the-clock service and a gradual decline in the number of daily applicants.

However, despite the Ministry's claims, long queues were observed at the department, with many applicants expressing frustration over prolonged waiting times under the one-day service.

The Department of Immigration and Emigration, with Cabinet approval, initially launched the 24-hour service on February 18, 2025, for a three-month period to cater to urgent passport needs.

The department said that the 24-hour one-day passport issuing service will officially end on Friday, May 30. From Monday, June 2, 2025, applications for the One-Day Service will be accepted only between 7:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at the department’s head office in Battaramulla and at the regional offices.

The Ministry said that the goals of the pilot 24-hour service has been successfully achieved. It also reassured the public that there is an adequate supply of blank passports and there will be no shortages in the future.

Urging calm, the Ministry requested the public not to panic and clarified that urgent passport requests can still be fulfilled under the one-day service. 

For non-urgent requirements, the public is advised to use the regular service, which delivers passports within approximately six weeks.

In addition, the Ministry urged residents of Vavuniya, Kurunegala, Kandy and Matara to obtain passports from the regional offices, which are being upgraded to enhance service efficiency.