News

e-passports : Minister decides to suspend EOIs & call for Tenders

Published

2 years ago

August 1, 2023

editor

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles has decided to suspend the Expression of Interest (EOI) with regard to the issuance of electronic passports or ‘e-passport’ and call for Tenders.

The Ministry says that Cabinet approval has been granted for a paper tabled by Minister Alles to appoint a special technical evaluation committee for the related matter and to call for a new Tender to issue ‘e-passport’ considering the current economic situation.

EOIs were initially called for the issuing of ‘e-passports’ and many applicants had complained to the Ministry of certain technical difficulties in the process.

Accordingly, Minister Alles has canceled the call for bids for EOI and decided to call for Tenders through the normal procurement process.

Meanwhile, a senior official of the Ministry said that over 700,000 e-passports should be issued during a year, which will cost around USD 15 million.

The official added that millions of USD had to be spent on the machines used to issue the passports and that the issuance of e-passports has also become difficult due to the high cost.

News

COVID subvariants spreading in Asia detected in Sri Lanka

Published

10 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka has confirmed that the COVID-19 variant currently spreading in the Asian region has also been identified in the country.

Dr. Jude Jayamaha, a specialist in viral diseases at the Medical Research Institute, stated that patients infected with the Omicron subvariants LF.7 and XFG are being reported locally.

Dr. Jayamaha explained that this finding was confirmed through research conducted on biological samples collected from several hospitals across the island.

However, he emphasized that there is no need for undue fear regarding these COVID-19 variants.

Health authorities have also stressed the importance of vulnerable groups—such as pregnant mothers, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses—following health guidelines, including wearing face masks and avoiding crowded places.

Dr. Jayamaha reiterated that new COVID-19 variants emerge periodically, and health authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, so the public should remain calm.

(newswire.lk)

(This story, originally published by newswire.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Anudi misses out from Miss World Quarter-Finals

Published

10 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Miss World organization has announced its quarter-finalists, selecting 40 contestants from across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Sri Lanka’s Anudi Gunasekara, was not selected in the top 40, despite being recognized for her impressive performances in the Multimedia and Head-to-Head challenges.

The top 40 consisted of 10 contestants each from Asia & Oceania, Europe, Africa and the Americas.