• Independent comm. appointed to assess, recommend solutions

The Government is expected to make an urgent decision on whether to revert to the old Machine-Readable Passport (MRP) system or proceed with the implementation of the e-passport system, as passport stocks continue to deplete.

The decision is pressing, according to Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala, who added that the limited availability of passports was threatening to disrupt the issuance process.

With the expiry of the interim order from the Court of Appeal, the Government is now in a position to make a final decision on the matter.

Minister Wijepala confirmed that an independent expert committee had been appointed to assess the situation and provide recommendations.

This follows a series of high-level meetings chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to evaluate the complexities surrounding the ongoing legal challenges to the e-passport tender.

The contract for the e-passport system, awarded to Thales in Finland and its local partner Just In Time (JIT) Technologies, has been contested by the losing bidder Epic Lanka Ltd., resulting in ongoing litigation that has delayed progress.

Minister Wijepala warned that issuing a new tender could require changes to the passport series, which may complicate border control systems. 

“A country can’t keep changing its passport all the time,” he said. “With the current stock of passports running low, we are pressed to make a decision soon.”

Attempts to contact the Department of Immigration and Emigration for updated information on available passport stocks were unsuccessful. 

The Government is under growing pressure to finalise its decision, as further delays could impact passport issuance and national security operations.