Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, Arun Hemachandra, has revealed that more than 26,000 expatriates, including workers and students, have applied for new passports, with applications pending for nearly two years.
These applications, submitted through Sri Lankan embassies and high commissions abroad, have left many individuals struggling due to expired passports, affecting their ability to continue working or studying overseas.
Recognizing the urgency of the matter, discussions have been held with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Employment, and the Department of Immigration and Emigration to expedite a solution.
Minister Hemachandra assured that steps would be taken to resolve the issue as much as possible by the end of the month. He also clarified that the current government was not responsible for the crisis.
Furthermore, he urged the public to refrain from seeking assistance from intermediaries when applying for passports or obtaining information related to foreign employment.
