Until the new passports arrive next month, the Immigration Department will issue only 1000 passports a day to manage the crisis over the shortage of passports, Controller General Harsha Illukpitiya told the Sunday Times.
He urged those rushing to obtain passports to wait till next month, when ample stocks of new-look passports with additional security features would be available.
“We have placed an order for five million new passports. It is better to obtain the new passport unless someone is in urgent need to travel overseas,” he said.
The bulk order would be delivered on a phased-out basis over a few years, the Controller General said.
He said the shortage was created with the department moving to phase out the old passport and introduce a more secure travel document for the country.
“I urge the people not to rush to obtain a passport unless they have an urgent overseas travel requirement,” he said.
(sundaytimes.lk)
