Govt. begins to issue biometric passports

The Government has decided to obtain fingerprints as biometric data of applicants when issuing Passports, Government Information Department said. Accordingly the Immigration and Emigration Department will begin the process to issue biometric passports according to international standards with effect from 10th August 2015. With this arrangement, Sri Lankan Passport will become a travel document with international recognition. Immigration and Emigration Controller General Nihal Ranasinghe said that all applicants have to come in person to the Head Office of the Department or regional Offices to submit their passport applications as the fingerprints have to be captured. He further said that all applicants should obtain their photographs conforming to standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization only from studios authorized by the Department located island-wide or from studios established at the Head Office and Regional Offices of the Department. Sri Lankans living overseas should submit their fingerprints to the Head Office or a Regional Office in the first instance they return to Sri Lanka. He stressed that the old passport will not be cancelled although issuing of new passports will commence today.