The Department of Immigration and Emigration says that the issuance of foreign passports has to be restricted.
Therefore, the department requested the public to apply for passports only for essential reasons.
Due to the limited number of blank passports currently available with the department, this request has been made pending the requirement.
The government has taken steps to introduce new electronic passports and has already awarded a tender to a foreign company for supply of passports by inviting international bids.
However, considering the limited stock of blank passports currently held by the Department of Immigration and Emigration, 750,000 ordinary blank passports have been procured as part of the same order from the same company that ordered the electronic passports.
This batch of passports is expected to reach the island on or before the end of October.
According to the reports of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, of the number of passports issued last year, the number of passport holders who have gone abroad is 23%.
The Department of Immigration and Emigration expresses regret for the inconvenience caused to the public due to the delay in the issuance of passports.
The villagers are vulnerable, YES! But the younger generation are not stupid.