An overall of 186 officers will be recruited to the Department of Immigration and Emigration in order to broaden services related to the issuance of passports, Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala stated in Parliament today (20 ).
In response to a question raised by Gampaha District Member of Parliament Harshana Rajakaruna, Minister Wijepala stated although formerly 1,200 new passports were released daily, today administration has actually implemented a program to release 4,000 passports.The Minister said given that services have actually been broadened, there is a significant staff shortage within the department.Accordingly, new officers will be taken in to the department in the near future, Minister Wijepala noted.The Minister of Public Security mentioned that the head office of the Immigration Department is operating around the clock to issue passports while local offices in Kandy, Kurunegala and Matara are likewise providing a much greater number of brand-new passports at present.
He said the issuance of passports at the Mannar workplace has actually also been increased from 50 to 200.
Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala informed Parliament that necessary tenders have actually been called to carry out the e-passport scheme in the near future.