Public Security Minister Tiran Alles has urged citizens to apply for passports only if absolutely necessary and advised those who can wait to delay their applications until October when new e-passports, meeting international standards, will be available.
Addressing the media, Minister Alles emphasized that the introduction of the new e-passport, which complies with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, will significantly enhance Sri Lanka’s position in the Global Passport Index.
The new e-passport, equipped with advanced security features, is set to be issued by the end of October and is expected to boost Sri Lanka’s passport ranking from its current 193rd position to above 50th globally.
“The new passport will include a microchip that securely stores the owner’s details, making retrieval at any airport worldwide efficient. I’m aware of the challenges Sri Lankans face with the current passport, but with the new e-passport, these issues will be resolved,” Minister Alles stated.
He also noted that historically, only 23 percent of issued passports were actively used, with the remainder being kept for safekeeping. Currently, the department is issuing 1,000 passports per day to prioritize those with urgent travel needs.
