New passport office: Some plus and minus points

Capt. Godfrey GOONETILLEKE

PASSPORT OFFICE: We all know that the gateway into and out of a country is through Immigration. Immigration is the life blood of the nation whereby our local workers venture out into foreign lands to bring in the much needed foreign exchange back to Sri Lanka.

These incomes are the mainstay is greasing the wheels of the Government, supporting our schools, hospitals, infrastructure, the armed services etc.

So why do we still adopt a rather colonial attitude towards these very important workers treating them as 3rd class citizens when they should in reality be given special class treatment from the time they apply for a passport, all the away into a foreign land and until they return to their homeland bearing the much needed foreign exchange.

Although I have worked and lived abroad for the past 40 years plus and have acquired EU citizenship I have had the privilege and good fortune to spend the annual winter months in the land of my birth, bringing with me valuable foreign money into the country.

At this stage let me emphasise the fact that the Immigration Controllers operating at the airport are extremely efficient, courteous, and expeditious.

Having travelled through most countries in the world, I would like to add that the service provided at the airport by our Immigration compares favourably with the best in the world.

Over a period of time as a routine measure I have had to visit the Sri Lanka Passport Office in order to renew my residence visa. I remember the time when the Immigration office was situated in Galle Buck in a rather dilapidated building and then in the Bambalapitiya Office.

This year to my utter surprise I was directed by a 3 wheeler driver that the passport office had now moved Punchi Borella. He offered to take me there for Rs. 200 which I gratefully accepted.

As an EU citizen I have no desire to discuss the reasons for the move from Bambalapitiya to Punchi Borella.

However, I must remind readers that Bambalapitiya was served by rail and bus, plenty of good restaurants, ample parking facilities and the much needed cool sea breeze free from pollution.

I feel that the best way to air my observations on the new passport office is by allocating a plus and minus system to the pros and cons.

Plus points

1. The new building in Punchi Borella is quite modern and fully air conditioned.

2. A large number of seats have been provided for both local and foreign applicants.

3. The toilet facilities are up to standard and being maintained in a hygienic condition. Trust this will be kept up.

4. The Assistant Controllers gave the impression of being courteous, helpful and understanding whilst the white collar clerical staff were patient, cooperative and tried to expedite the several applications received daily to the best of their ability.

5. Two lifts have been provided for the use of the public and the office staff.

6. Generally the service provided by the passport staff is in my opinion being performed quite satisfactorily and this to in a rather pleasant manner.

7. In comparison with other more advanced countries, the speed of execution of applications is extremely efficient and far better than other places I have visited.

Minus points

1. The location of the new office has much to be desired and unsuitable for performing its functions to the satisfaction of all concerned.

2. Public transport to the new office is woefully inadequate.

3. Waiting areas for applicants is limited and leads to congestion.

4. There is large spill over of applicants from the main building to the streets and into the numerous mushroom tea kiosks and cafes which does not provide a conducive atmosphere to the many weary waiting applicants.

5. As a result of the new passport office, great deal of extra traffic has been generated causing terrific congestion and mayhem on the surrounding streets.

6. Sufficient pedestrian crossings are sadly lacking

7. There is not one good restaurant in the vicinity providing wholesome food unlike in the Majestic City.

8. Ample parking facilities have to be considered.

9. The two lifts available are totally inadequate to cope with the large volume of public users.

Suggestions

As stated earlier the Sri Lankans who proceed abroad to bring much needed revenue into the country have to be given special class treatment. As an EU citizen I feel that the foreign visitor is being treated quite fairly although there tends to be some pandemonium from time to time within the limited space available.

I would like to bring to the attention of the powers that be of the poor conditions prevailing at the Foreign Employment Bureau offices where workers have to stand long hours on the road come rain or blistering sunshine just to have their names registered at the bureau. Surely they need better treatment. May the following improvements be seriously considered.

1. Attach 2 Asst. Controllers to each Provincial Governor with all the facilities to dispense of passport matters urgently thereby eliminating the need for poor workers to have to trek down to Punchi Borella at unnecessary expense and time.

2. All country applicants should be directed to their local office and should not be entertained at Punchi Borella.

3. Have more than one bank counter in order to receive payments and so dispose of the time wasting queues.

4. Initiate a numbering system similar to the one operating at SriLankan Airlines office so that all applicants are treated equally and fairly.

(a). One set of numbers for new passports

(b). One set of numbers of renewals/extensions

(c). One set of numbers for holiday visas

(d). One set of numbers for residence visas.

Finally it is now the opportune time to plan for the construction of a fine state of the art building to house the new passport office say in about 3 year time. The salient points to be considered are:

(a). suitable and airy location

(b) Adequate transport facilities

(c) Layout and plenty of internal space

(d) Parking facilities

(e) Good clean restaurant amenities

(f) Complete computerisation of all activities.

(The writer is an International Business Consultant, Europe)