High-tech passports from next year

by L.S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

A biometric passport will be introduced next year, said Immigration and Emigration Controller General, W.A. Chulananda Perera in a recent interview with the Sunday Observer.

The current passport does have all the essential security features, but the system which is being followed for years, based on the birth certificate and the national identity card needs to be changed and, in the new process only a once in a lifetime passport will be issued.

The following are excerpts of the interview:

Q: Why do you say that the current system should be changed?

A: The existing system is not one hundred percent foolproof.

Some applicants submit false documents to obtain their passports. Such loopholes should be done away with. I should say the passport with a new format has many security features. Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Hongkong have already introduced high-tech passports, which are based on the biometric features of the applicant such as finger prints and the face. One person one passport will be the feature of this novel system. This multi million system has been launched with assistance from the Australian government and the International Organization of Migrants (IOM) and a panel of international experts who provides consultancy services.

Q: Do you mean to transform your department into a "paperless" department. Would you elaborate on this?

A: Storing and maintaining official documents is a challenge for government departments and other government institutions. Under the guidance of the Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the Department of Immigration and Emigration will launch a system whereby the documents will be scanned and stored electronically. Documents will be returned to the applicants for their future reference, if necessary. We had obtained the Attorney General's approval to introduce this new system which would secure vital documents.

Q: There is a proposal to introduce Electronic Travel Authority - ETA system to grant visas and monitor visa regulations. When will you introduce the system?

A: The online ETA system will be introduced soon

ETA is an automated system used to determine the eligibility of visitors to travel to Sri Lanka and whether such travel poses any law enforcement or security system.

This system would make it easy for any tourist wanting to visit Sri Lanka as it would authorize an online visa prior to arrival.

The electronic approval system would provide both, a oneday service and a three day normal service. After verifying the details and if they are found to be in order the applicant would be notified online, payments too could be made online.

Q: The common complaint is that there is inordinate delay in obtaining a passport. Your comments.

A: There is hardly any truth in such complaints. The system has since been regularized a passport will be issued within ten working days with a nominal fee of Rs.2,500 for all countries and one day service for Rs.7,500. A copy of the certificate of birth and the national identity card, the specified number of photographs with the duly filled application attested by a authorised officer or a Justice of the Peace are needed to obtain a passport.

Q: Are the passports issued only at your Colombo head office?

A: No passports can be obtained from the Divisional Secretaries Islandwide apart from the department's three branches in Galle, Matara and Kandy. A branch is scheduled to be opened in Vavuniya soon. It is no longer a Herculean task for people to obtain a passport.

Q: Are there any problems relating to dual citizenship?

A: It is difficult to obtain details of applicants for dual citizenship from countries where they live. The law does not permit such countries to supply such details. In the present circumstances it is vital for us to obtain the reasons from such countries as to why the Sri Lankans are domiciled there, their desire to obtain dual citizenship.

High level discussions have been held in this regard and it is anticipated that we could arrive at a fair solution soon.

Q: Recently there was a series of raids to apprehend foreigners who had overstayed in the country. How far have you progressed?

A: Overstayed foreign nationals were rounded up and deported. Applicants are called upon to strictly follow the government instructions for visa extensions.