• Urgent cases to be expedited via comm.

Minister of Public Security, and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala clarified in the Parliament yesterday (23) the process of obtaining a passport under the new online method through the one-day service.

He explained that the applicants can reserve a date online to obtain a passport and collect it on the same day; however, the earliest available reservation date for new bookings is currently 27 June.

Responding to a question posed by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Wijepala clarified the passport issuance process, emphasising that online reservations typically result in a date approximately five months later. 

Nevertheless, he emphasised that a mechanism exists for urgent cases to expedite the process.

He explained that a committee within the Department of Immigration and Emigration handles urgent passport requests. Citizens with immediate needs can apply through this committee, which assesses and approves such requests, enabling applicants to receive their passports on the same day. “In addition to the standard service, we have developed a system to ensure that urgent passport-related needs are met. This includes informing the committee of the urgency, which allows for the issuance on the same day,” he stated.

Wijepala provided an overview of the department’s current passport issuance capabilities, noting that approximately 2,900 passports are issued daily, exceeding the planned capacity of 2,500 due to high demand and urgent requests. The breakdown includes: 800 passports daily for applicants who reserve online, 650 urgent passports daily for committee approved urgent requests, 500 passports daily for requests from missions overseas and Sri Lankans abroad, 250 passports daily for pilgrimage applications, such as Dambadiwa and Hajj, 250 daily for previously submitted online applications, 200 daily through branch offices, and 250 passports daily via the normal service. 

He also highlighted the option for applicants to book a date online, submit applications, and collect their passports a month later under the normal service, providing flexibility for non-urgent cases.

“The volume of applications varies based on seasonal requirements and other urgent needs,” he added.