The department’s media spokesperson Piumi Bandara said only 382, 506 passports had been issued for the whole of last year (2021).
Stating that many have sought overseas employment due to the economic crisis, she said many had obtained passports this year for this purpose.
A total of 52,278 passports were obtained in January this year, while 55,381 were obtained in February, 74,890 in March, 53,151 in April, and 52,945 in May, she said.
Piumi Bandara said this has resulted in the Department of Immigration and Emigration facing a heavy workload.
Thereby, she called on those visiting the department to make prior appointments before visiting.
Stating that over 1500 appointments are issued on a daily basis, she said those standing in queues are those who have failed to make prior appointments.
The one-day service to obtain passports is being carried out only at the Head Office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Battaramulla.
However, normal passport services are being undertaken at the Battaramulla office and regional offices of the department in the Matara, Kurunegala, Kandy, and Vavuniya areas, she added.
(NewsWire)
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