Sri Lankans Abroad to Soon Access Online Passport Services

 A key discussion on the rollout of this system took place under the leadership of Minister Vijitha Herath, with assistance from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The new online passport service will initially be available in 20 selected embassies before the end of this year. 

This development is set to alleviate the long waiting times currently faced by Sri Lankans abroad when applying for or renewing passports. With the system in place, passport applications will be submitted online to the Department of Immigration and Emigration, while fingerprinting will be conducted within the embassies, ensuring a smoother and quicker process for applicants.

The project has been made possible through the support of the Japanese government, which is providing all necessary resources. In addition to discussing the online passport system, 

Minister Herath held a meeting with Kanamori Hitoshi, Chairman of IM Japan, a Japanese international human resources organization. The discussions focused on expanding employment opportunities for Sri Lankans in Japan, particularly in sectors such as nursing, construction, and driving.

As part of the Japanese employment recruitment program, a range of new job openings is expected in various fields, further strengthening bilateral ties and providing Sri Lankans with enhanced career prospects abroad.