News
Over 9,000 online applications for passports received
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Sri Lanka’s newly established online system run by the Passport Office had received 9,158 applications between 15 and 24 June seeking new passports, Controller General of Immigration and Emigration, Harsha Illukpitiya, told journalists on Sunday. President Ranil Wickremesinghe recently launched the system to accept applications for passports.Illukpitiya said that passports would be issued within three days after receiving applications online.
Illukpitiya added that prior to digitisation, it took 14 working days to issue a passport.The Department of Immigration and Emigration introduced the online passport application platform to remove the need for those living out of Colombo to come to the Head Office, in Colombo, to renew, or apply, for a passport, he said.
Illukpitiya mentioned that applicants could submit fingerprints necessary for the passport at the Department for Registration of Persons sub offices established in 51 places, countrywide.
A large number of Sri Lankans, seeking foreign jobs have been applying for new passports, since the economic crisis of 2022, he said.This had led to long queues at the Colombo Head Office and has caused great inconvenience to applicants, he said.
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) has announced a reduction in the prices of Petrol 92 and Petrol 95, effective from midnight today (30).
The price of Petrol 92 has been reduced by Rs. 15 per litre, from Rs. 414 to Rs. 399 while the price of Petrol 95 Octane has been reduced by Rs. 20 per litre, from Rs. 495 to Rs. 475
There will be no change in the prices of diesel, Super Diesel and kerosene under the latest revision.
The book “Rathuwewi Mihimadala”, written based on the life story of Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Leader of the Democratic Left Front, was launched on Friday [August 28] at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo, with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
Speaking to the media afterwards about Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:
“Vasudeva Nanayakkara is a prominent figure in Sri Lankan politics, particularly within the left-wing political movement. There were several influential figures within the left movement, and that left-wing influence also contributed to bringing the country to where it is today. Politically, there were areas where we agreed and areas where we did not. However, I have great respect for the contribution made by Vasudeva Nanayakkara to left-wing politics. When I entered Parliament in 2020, Vasudeva Nanayakkara was also in Parliament. We sat in the same row, and we spoke about many important as well as interesting moments in his political career. I believe some of these experiences have also been included in this book.”
The event was attended by members of the Maha Sangha, Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara, former President Maithripala Sirisena, former Speakers Karu Jayasuriya and Chamal Rajapaksa, as well as party members, family members and friends.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Latest News
Sun directly overhead Mannar, Periyamadu, Puliyankulam, Welioya and Pulmoddai about 12.11 noon today (30)
The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.
The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (30) are Mannar, Periyamadu, Puliyankulam, Welioya and
Pulmoddai about 12.11 noon.
Petrol to cost less from midnight today (30)
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