Public Security Minister Tiran Alles has urged the public to apply for passports only if necessary, recommending that those who can wait should delay their applications until October, when new e-passports meeting international standards will be available.
Speaking to the media, Minister Alles emphasized that the new e-passport, which complies with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards, will enhance Sri Lanka's position in the Global Passport Index.
Set to be introduced by the end of October, the e-passport will feature advanced security measures and is expected to significantly improve Sri Lanka’s Passport Index ranking. Currently, the country's passport ranks 193rd globally, but the new e-passport could elevate the ranking to above 50.
"The new passport will include a microchip that securely stores all the owner's details, allowing for easy retrieval at any airport worldwide. I understand the challenges Sri Lankans face with their current passport, but the new e-passport will eliminate such issues during airport checks," Alles said.
He also highlighted that historically, only 23 percent of issued passports were actually used, with many obtained for safekeeping. Currently, the department is issuing 1,000 passports per day to meet urgent needs, prioritizing those with immediate travel requirements.
