No plans to stop issuance of passports on 24-hour basis - Minister Wijepala

The Department of Immigration and Emigration (DIE) will continue to remain open 24 hours a day to issue passports for one-day service applicants despite criticism over the lack of officers to man the counters, Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala told Timesonline. 

The government commenced issuing passports on a 24-hour basis for one-day service applicants over a month ago. Officials are working 24-hours a day on three eight-hour shifts to issue the passports. However, there has been criticism that the number of officials manning the counters at the DIE at night are insufficient to meet the sheer number of applicants, resulting in long lines forming inside the DIE's head office in Colombo.

Minister Wijepala though, said stopping the 24-hour service would place applicants in a far worse position in that it will create even longer lines forming outside the DIE office in day-time, in scenes reminiscent to what occurred some months ago. He noted that at present, those applying for their passports through the one-day service will still be able to obtain their passport within 24 hours.

The minister also revealed that arrangements are being made to authorise over-time payments for staff who are issuing passports. He claimed that keeping the DIE open 24-hours, despite various difficulties, was still beneficial to the public, noting that new numbers are issued after 12 midnight each day, meaning even those who come at night or in the early hours of the morning can get an early number. 

"In addition to issuing passports on a 24-hour basis, we have also introduced a 24-hour bus service at the DIE, while Special Task Force (STF) personnel have been deployed for security. It is true that we still don't have as many officials as we would like manning the counters, but we are doing the best we can and believe the situation will soon improve," the minister further stated.