The Police stated that they will investigate if a complaint is received concerning reports that middlemen are running a mafia to collect large sums of money from applicants during the passport issuance process.

Currently, passport issuance is facing significant challenges as the Department of Immigration and Emigration is running low on passport stocks, and there are reports of middlemen operating a money extortion scam within the process.

When contacted by The Daily Morning to inquire about the matter, Police Media Spokesperson Deputy Inspector General of Police Nihal Thalduwa said: “The Police is ready to investigate this issue when a complaint is received.”

The reported shortage of passports has led to delays and complications in processing applications, causing inconvenience to those who require passports. Large queues of people who are in need of passports are seen waiting in long queues out the Immigration and Emigration Department in Battaramulla in Colombo, and its branches in other areas.

Attempts to contact Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles, under whose purview the Immigration and Emigration Department comes, proved futile.

In response to a question raised by Samagi Jana Balawegaya and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Leader of the House Dr. Susil Premajayantha, said on Wednesday (4) that steps have been taken to import 750,000 passports within a month as an immediate measure until the full implementation of the electronic passport system. 

He said that the company responsible for supplying printed passports has been instructed to deliver 750,000 passports, but that the company requires time to print and supply them. He also explained that the issuance of e-passports has been delayed due to a technical issue and that the current passport shortage is a result of the Immigration and Emigration Department's lack of proper planning for the transition to the e-passport system.