News

New system to issue passports

Published

12 months ago

May 18, 2023

editor

The Department of Immigration and Emigration is to introduce a new system of issuing passports from June 01.
Immigration and Emigration Department’s Controller General Harsha Ilukpitiya said the new system will allow applicants to apply for passports online from their home without having to visit the department. Payments for the passports can be made online or via the Bank of Ceylon and applicants will receive passports within 03 days, which will reach their homes via post, he had added.

He said 50 Divisional Secretariats will be assigned to obtain the fingerprints of the applicants.

Meanwhile, the Immigration and Emigration Department’s Controller has also said that passports will be issued to every person that visits the department in Battaramulla from today (18).

Noting that the program to only issue passports for those with online appointments ceased with effect from yesterday (17), he added that those visiting the department without appointments will be provided services according to a token system.

News

180 passports found dumped in a drain!

Published

10 mins ago

May 6, 2024

editor

A bag with 180 passports has been found in a drain in the Maharagama area.

According to reports, the passports had been obtained by a foreign employment agency operating in the Maharagama area, promising foreign employment.

It is reported that the owner of the agency had fled the area, after duping a number of people and swindling nearly Rs. 260 million.

News

Immigration Dept says their power of approving visa not impacted

Published

16 mins ago

May 6, 2024

editor

The Department of Immigration and Emigration has stated that the methodology of the present e-visa system has not impacted the Department’s power of approving, issuing or not issuing visa, mentioned in the Immigrants and Emigrants Act No. 20 of 1948.

In a detailed statement, shown below, the department has elaborated as follows :

MR_58_English Download

News

VFS issues statement on Sri Lanka E-visa

Published

21 mins ago

May 6, 2024

editor

VFS Global has issued a statement in response to clarify certain concerns which have been raised.

In the statement the company says the Department of Immigration & Emigration (DI&E) signed a tripartite contract with GBS Technology Services & IVS Global FZCO being the prime contractor and VFS Global being the technology partner for the Sri Lanka government’s new E-Visa solution. www.srilankaevisa.lk.

The company notes it manages non-judgmental and administrative tasks related to the application process only and the decision to grant or reject the visa is at the sole discretion of the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

VFS-Global-eVisa-final-statement Download