Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles alleged that a ‘mafia’ has been operating behind the recent long queues for passports at the Department of Immigration and Emigration. 

He stated this in response to an accusation levelled by NPP parliamentarian Vijitha Herath.

Long queues were observed in front of the Immigration Department’s offices in recent days due to a shortage of new blank passports.

During a press conference held today by the National People’s Power (NPP), the party had accused the government over the crisis pertaining to issuance of passports.

However, responding to the allegations during a press briefing at the Ministry of Public Security today, Minister Alles explained that the long queues were not formed due to a passport shortage.

He stated that online appointment slots, which are made available for booking at midnight, are quickly taken by a certain group using more than 100 SIM cards to secure the appointments, which are then sold to the innocent people for around Rs. 45,000.

“When I found out about it, I immediately asked to halt the online system and to let them come int the queue. But then there was no end to the queues.” He stated that certain individuals wait in the queue, and then sell that spot for Rs. 20,000 or Rs. 25,000. 

“After that I took a decision and asked the police to take over the queues and they were instructed how to do it. After that day, the queues are over by 10.30 - 11.30,” said the minister.

Meanwhile, the minister also refuted reports claiming that a group of officials from the Immigration Department has traveled to the relevant factory in Poland to look into the production process of the new passports.

“They said the immigration bosses went to Poland because of the passport problem. These are blatant lies. Now the passports chief is here with me,” he said.