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.
A group of fishermen stranded at sea off the coast of Balapitiya were rescued today by a Bell 412 helicopter under the directive of the Secretary of Defence.
The fishermen were aboard a vessel that encountered distress in rough sea conditions. Upon receiving the alert, the Sri Lanka Air Force launched the helicopter to assist in the emergency rescue operation.
The Department of Meteorology has issued a Red Alert warning for strong winds and rough seas around Sri Lanka, effective from 12:30 pm today (May 30) until midnight tomorrow (May 31).
Former Sports Minister – Mahindananda Aluthgamage as well as former Trade Minister and Sathosa Chairman – Nalin Fernando, have been placed in a common ward at Welikada Prison, where they will be held with other general inmates.
Prison authorities confirmed that both individuals were issued standard-issue jumpers, along with a mat and pillow, as per prison protocol.
The two were brought to Welikada Prison yesterday afternoon following their sentencing and were subsequently subjected to medical examinations before being transferred to their assigned ward.
The Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar yesterday (May 29) sentenced the duo over their involvement in a major corruption case linked to the importation of sports equipment, which is infamously known as the ‘Carrom Board’ case.
Ex-Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage was sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment while former Trade Minister – Nalin Fernando was sentenced to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment for his involvement in the case as the Lanka Sathosa Chairman at that time.
