The Ministry of Public Security has officially ended the 24-hour passport issuing service at the Department of Immigration and Emigration, citing high operational costs and a steady decline in daily applicants as key reasons behind the decision.
Initially introduced on February 18, 2025, with Cabinet approval, the round-the-clock service was launched as a three-month pilot project to address urgent passport needs. However, the Ministry confirmed today that the service will be discontinued as of Friday, May 30.
From Monday, June 2, the One-Day Service will be available only between 7:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at the department’s head office in Battaramulla and at selected regional offices.
Despite the Ministry’s assurances, large crowds were seen queueing up at the department this week, with many applicants voicing frustration over extended waiting times. Some criticized the decision to scale back the service, claiming it has led to delays and uncertainty.
Responding to public concern, the Ministry reiterated that the goals of the 24-hour pilot program had been successfully achieved and emphasized that the standard one-day service remains in place to meet urgent needs. The Ministry also reassured the public that there is no shortage of blank passports, and the supply chain remains stable.
For non-urgent applications, the Ministry advises using the regular passport service, which delivers documents within approximately six weeks. To further ease congestion in Colombo, residents of Vavuniya, Kurunegala, Kandy, and Matara are encouraged to use their respective regional offices, which are currently undergoing upgrades to improve service delivery.
The Ministry urged the public to remain calm and plan ahead when submitting passport applications, emphasizing that the one-day option remains available during designated hours.
