News Today: Government to accelerate passport issuance by recruiting more staff

The Government of Sri Lanka is taking decisive action to resolve the ongoing passport issuance delays by recruiting more staff. The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to expedite passport processing by adding personnel and increasing production capacity.

At a recent Cabinet press briefing, Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa confirmed that this initiative follows recommendations from an expert committee assigned to address the passport shortage. As part of the plan, the Government has begun procuring 1.1 million blank passports embedded with “P” category chips from an authorized supplier.

24/7 Passport Issuance System to Clear Backlog

To eliminate processing delays, the Emigration and Immigration Department will implement a new system capable of issuing 4,000 passports daily. For faster service, the department will now operate 24/7, significantly reducing waiting times for applicants.

To facilitate this transition, the Cabinet approved a proposal by the Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister to recruit additional personnel. Retired Emigration and Immigration Department officers will be rehired on a contract basis with approval from the Public Service Commission. Additionally, government officers will be temporarily assigned to the department with consent from the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Governments.

This proactive measure aims to ensure faster, more efficient passport processing, improving accessibility for citizens.