The Sri Lanka Immigration and Emigration Officers Association has actually provided a declaration resolving the ongoing passport crisis in the country, pointing out administrative mismanagement and a lack of sufficient preparation as key contributors for the issue.According to the association, declarations issued by other parties on the matter have often been contradictory and misleading, compelling them to clarify the genuine circumstance and advocate for instant action to deal with the crisis.The association highlighted that the Department of Immigration and Emigration has an important function in issuing passports that fulfill global standards, as mandated by the Immigration and Emigration Act.
Despite constant immigration and emigration services offered around the clock, including during emergencies, passport issuance has been interfered with by ineffectiveness that began previously this year and continue today, the declaration added.The association detailed the following factors as having actually caused the crisis:1.
Not making purchases on time.2.
Not forecasting person demand precisely.3.
Not having appropriate stock of passports4.
Indiscreetly starting an online application procedure earlier and abandoning it after it failed, without making the existing conditions effective and expeditious5.
Decision-making by only a few individuals in the top administration (Controller General/ Additional Controller General Deputy Control and Information Technology Controller)6.
Non-consideration of departmental regular staff members in the decision-making procedure and approximate application of decisions.7.
Implementing tasks without a pilot project or actual deficiency studies.8.
Not doing follow-up tasks9.
Imprudent application of the opinions and orders of the political authority.10.
Prioritizing private interests over public service.Furthermore, the Immigration and Emigration officers explained lapses in proactive steps that the authorities had actually made, such as,1.
Not having introduced an official system to answer the inquiries made by telephone.2.
Non-attendance of task by the accountable officers and a minimum of not going to the phone calls.3.
Not acquiring the assistance that could have been obtained through the media.4.
Not recognizing and not executing a technique of offering effective responses even to the customers who come to the department premises and investigate.5.
Not taking steps to acquire the knowledge and experience of the skilled, regular staff member neighborhood.6.
Putting behind bars the staff member neighborhood in an oppressive duty environment.7.
Making the responsibilities that were performed in an acceptable and enjoyable environment unacceptable and unpleasant8.
Immediate execution of unjust and unlawful conditions and development of unequal treatment.9.
Due to the reduction of employee commitment by working to meet the requirements of the minority instead of giving the rights of the majority, the general efficiency is minimized and the general public service is hindered.The association also pointed to considerable mistakes in guaranteeing the availability of blank passports.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for passports increased, but the department did not increase its stock accordingly.Although the Court of Appeal authorized the acquisition of 750,000 blank passports, supply delays from the brand-new supplier have worsened the crisis, the statement highlighted, keeping in mind For example, only 7,000 blank passports were provided on October 21, far except need, with a modest boost to 45,000 by October 27.
This supply deficiency has actually made it tough for the department to supply concrete answers to the public or media, further aggravating public frustration, the association added.The association expressed disappointment that greater administration has not been transparent with government leaders or the general public.
They cautioned that political loyalty-driven visits under past political authorities have actually contributed to arbitrary decision-making.
Furthermore, the declaration declared that it is regrettable the authorities of the Immigration and Emigration Department have not revealed the real circumstance related to the issuance of passports, even to the minister in charge of the subject, who is taken part in an exceptionally responsible function that has to cover a 1/3 of the entire function of the federal government, even though the department has all the data and information.To address these issues, they urged for an official examination to hold all responsible people responsible and to prioritize efficient options over private interests.The Immigration and Emigration Officers Association concluded its declaration by calling on departmental authorities to act without delay and end the passport crisis, vowing their support for the betterment of civil service in Sri Lanka.