• Open & Accountable Govt. SOC Chair warns against impact of public inconvenience, approves new Immigration Bill targeting issues of travel docs, human smuggling, those staying illegally 
• CG says only 23% of 1 m passports issued in 2023 used   

Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on Open and Accountable Government Chair Jagath Kumara Sumitraarachchi informed the Controller General (CG) of Immigration and Emigration Harsha Ilukpitiya to take immediate action to issue passports in a way that does not inconvenience the public.

This was discussed when the Department of Immigration and Emigration was summoned to the said Committee to consider the new Immigration Bill.

Ilukpitiya said that while nearly one million passports had been issued last year (in 2023), only 23% of them had been used and that the remaining 77% had not been used. Also, he added that since the electronic passport (e-passport) is to be introduced by the end of October of this year, there is a possibility to request the new e-passport from some countries and that accordingly, the Department requests the non-essential public to refrain from getting passports. Also, he stated that the procurement process of e-passports is in the final stage and that five million e-passports will be received by the end of October.

Sumitraarachchi pointed out that the people should be informed about this as much as possible. However, he also emphasised that it is the responsibility of the Department to issue the requested passports so that the people are not inconvenienced, as it is the right of the people to get passports after paying money. Sumitraarachchi pointed out that if not, the Department as well as the Government will be deeply displeased by the people.

Also, the officials of the Department said that the obstacles to obtaining passports for pilgrims traveling to India and Nepal will be promptly removed.

While considering the new Immigration Bill, Ilukpitiya said that the drafting of this Bill has been prepared by amending the issue of travel documents in the Immigrants and Emigrants Act and the Passport (Regulation) and Exit Permit Act, No. 53 of 1971 to suit the current social and technological situation. He also mentioned that since this Bill has been challenged in the Supreme Court and the relevant determination has been announced to the Parliament, the related amendments will be made. 

It was also revealed that this Bill has provided provisions to fill the gaps in the immigration laws of this country. Ilukpitiya pointed out that the necessary legal provisions have been made by this new Bill, especially for human smuggling. Also, this new Bill has the legal provisions necessary for the Department to move forward with new technology as well as provisions applicable to people staying illegally in the country. 

Giving approval to the Bill, Sumitraarachchi said that in order to implement this Bill more successfully, the Department should proceed with new technology.