Sri Lanka’s President unveils new online passport application system
Daily FT: President Ranil Wickremesinghe unveiled recently a streamlined process to issue passports via a new online application system.
The new system was inaugurated by President Wickremesinghe at the Homagama Divisional Secretariat yesterday. Under the new system, applicants will be able to receive the new passport at their doorsteps within three days.
Immigration and Emigration Controller-General Harsha Ilukpitiya said the online passport application system is being introduced as part of President Wickremesinghe’s intention to digitise public services.
The Controller-General confirmed that the new process aims to streamline the passport application process and ensure that passports are delivered to applicants’ residences within three days.
To facilitate the efficient delivery of passports, 50 regional secretariats countrywide have been equipped with the necessary facilities.
OSL take:
The government of Sri Lanka is focused on transforming the country into an e-economy creating a host of business/investment opportunities in the digital sector as well. One of the main focuses of the incumbent government is to digitalise operations at state institutions. This programme has become an emerging business/investment opportunity in Sri Lanka. The digitalising programme would also present opportunities in providing technical expertise and supplementary infrastructure facilities required along with the development of digitalization of institutions. With Sri Lanka focused on becoming an emerging business destination in the South Asian region supported by the country’s geographical positioning in the Indian Ocean and the strong trade ties enjoyed by the country, the country’s IT and digital infrastructure development sectors show massive growth and business potential. The business/investment opportunities in the IT and digital infrastructure development sectors therefore can be taken up by foreign businesses/investors. They could also look at forming partnerships or joint ventures with local businesses engaged in the industry.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20230623/Z_6 |