A tender for the procurement of 500,000 machine-readable passports (MRPs) is expected to be floated in the coming days, according to authoritative sources. A committee is currently finalizing the necessary documentation for the process.
In the meantime, the daily issuance of passports has been increased significantly, with the Department of Immigration and Emigration (DIE) now releasing between 2,500 and 2,700 passports per day. This is a notable rise from the previous cap of 1,500 to 1,800 per day. The increase includes passports issued under one-day and normal services, as well as those processed for overseas missions and the DIE’s four branches.
The adjustment in the daily quota, aimed at managing limited stocks effectively, was implemented under the direction of the Public Security Ministry. Last week, The Sunday Times reported that a surge in passport applications is anticipated in the coming weeks from candidates preparing for the Korean language proficiency test, which requires passport numbers for eligibility.
Adding to the pressure, foreign employment agencies have urged the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) to ensure a steady supply of passports for prospective migrant workers. They warned that any failure to meet these demands could prompt receiving countries to seek workers from alternative markets.
In response, the SLBFE issued a letter to the Public Security Ministry requesting 200 passports daily for labour migrants, a demand that is now being met, confirmed SLBFE Chairman Koshala Wickremesinghe.
A separate tender will be issued for personalizing the passport books, sources disclosed, noting that Sri Lanka may introduce a new passport series depending on the tender outcome. The country transitioned from the “N” to “P” series in recent years.
The DIE is currently working through its existing stock of MRPs. However, at the current rate of issuance, this stock is projected to run out between July and September. Meanwhile, a backlog of applications remains unresolved.
Separately, the outcome of the ePassport tender—awarded to Thales DIS Finland OY and its local partner, Just In Time (JIT) Technologies (Pvt) Ltd—continues to face legal challenges. Epic Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, a losing bidder, has contested the decision in the Court of Appeal.
In the interim, the DIE is relying on an emergency procurement of 750,000 MRPs from Thales to address the critical shortage of travel documents caused by delays in the ePassport project. These MRPs are being delivered in batches to sustain current issuance levels.
