The Cabinet has approved a proposal for Sri Lankans overseas to apply for their passports through an online system via the Lankan diplomatic missions.
The facility will be available in 20 diplomatic missions initially.
The joint proposal by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, and the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs to implement the online procedure for applying for foreign passports through 20 selected Sri Lankan missions and offices abroad.
The project, funded by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), aims to expedite the process of applying for foreign passports by Sri Lankans overseas.
The IOM has agreed to provide the necessary funds to establish biometric capture stations, supply related equipment, facilitate online connectivity with the Department of Immigration and Emigration, and develop relevant systems and software with technical support.
It is a very good move.
The current system to apply for a passport takes five to six months to get a passport. It is even difficult to visit a family as it takes so long to get a new passport.
The UK government has unveiled a package of reforms to simplify imports from developing countries which allows for more garments manufactured in Sri Lanka to enter the UK tariff-free.
Read these and more on tomorrow’s edition of the Sunday Times
Cabinet has approved the appointment of Commodore (retired) M.B.N.A. Premaratne of the Sri Lanka Navy, as the new Commissioner General of Excise.
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