The Sri Lankan Government is seeking Cabinet approval to procure 1.1 million more machine-readable passports (MRPs) from Thales DIS Finland OY, according to sources within the Department of Immigration and Emigration (DIE). The move is intended to bridge the gap in passport supply while the country transitions to a long-awaited e-passport system.
Thales, a global digital identity and security firm, is the same company that won the tender for supplying five million e-passports last year—a deal that faced legal challenges from Epic Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, the unsuccessful bidder. However, the Appeal Court eventually lifted the interim order that had temporarily halted progress on the contract.
Stop-Gap Measure Until e-Passports Are Ready
According to DIE insiders, the procurement of 1.1 million MRPs is a temporary measure designed to meet demand until the e-passport system becomes fully functional. The Attorney General’s consent is currently being obtained, following which a formal Cabinet proposal will be submitted.
“The idea is that once Thales finishes delivering these 1.1 million MRPs, they will shift to producing e-passports,” a senior DIE official said. “This is a necessary interim solution until all technical components for the e-passport system, including encryption and international interoperability, are ready.”
Critical Tender for Encryption Yet to Be Floated
One major hurdle remains: the DIE has yet to float a tender for a two-key encryption system. This encryption is crucial for establishing Sri Lanka’s unique public key infrastructure (PKI) within the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Public Key Directory (PKD). This infrastructure allows global immigration systems to verify the authenticity of Sri Lankan e-passports.
Without this encryption mechanism in place, full implementation of e-passports could face delays. Therefore, the additional MRP stock is expected to last through next year, ensuring uninterrupted passport issuance for Sri Lankan citizens.
Emergency Supplies Already in Play
In the wake of a severe shortage of travel documents, Thales has already supplied a significant number of MRPs to Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Epic Lanka continues to personalize each passport at a cost of US$ 1.45 per document, a partnership that remains in place for current MRP processing.
The procurement of 1.1 million MRPs from Thales Finland reflects the Government’s pragmatic approach to managing the passport supply chain during a crucial technological shift. While the e-passport rollout remains a top priority, logistical challenges like encryption tendering and PKI integration must be resolved to ensure a smooth transition.
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