Heavy congestion at passport office in Battaramulla

COLOMBO (News1st); Heavy congestion was reported near the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Battaramulla on Friday (19) morning, after a group of people who hadn't made a prior appointment arrived at the office to obtain passports.

Controller General of Immigration and Emigration Harsha Ilukpitiya said the new method to apply for passports is effective from Friday (19).

Accordingly, he said an applicant must reserve a date and time via the department's website, www.immigration.gov.lk, to obtain or renew a passport.

The Department of Immigration and Emigration said it applies to both one-day and general services.

He said the congestion was reported at the Battaramulla office on Friday (19) morning, when people arrived to obtain passports without making prior appointments, despite being informed to do so.

News1st correspondent said the situation got tense after they were notified that services would only be provided to those who made prior appointments.

As a result, long queues and congestion were seen opposite the Immigration and Emigration Department, and officials summoned the Police, with the tense situation arising.

Police and Army personnel were accordingly deployed to control the situation.