The process of renewing a Sri Lankan passport is simple and fast. This morning, we discovered exactly how fast - when Uncle and I decided to get the validity of his passport extended by five years. We visited the Department of Immigration and Emigration (DIE) in Punchi Borella.The approach to the offices was like a bazaar, with colourful shops and restaurants in which to while away the waiting hours. We entered the building at 11 o’clock sharp.
Having obtained a form from Jetwing Travels and filled it up at home, there was no time lost. It was a simple matter of getting a signature, paying the appropriate fees (LKR 500 for a five-year extension) and waiting for the renewed travel document.
Signboards posted all over suggested that the passport would be ready “within two hours”. The dynamic gentleman behind the counter provided us with entertainment and kept us posted on the status.
Exactly an hour after we had entered the office, we were out – with Uncle’s passport having been renewed till April 2013! Considering that this office frequently handles more than 1,000 renewal requests on a single day, the experience was like a breath of fresh air.
Go, DIE!
2 comments:
Read Daily news of last Friday and have an update man...
I did read a one-sided letter about an individual's bad experience. Sadly, not many of us appreciate great service - We take it for granted and only complain at bad service.
Considering that more than 18,000 passports are renewed every month - most of them without any complications, I find the service amazing.
So, my advice to 'anonymous' is: Get real, man! And give credit where credit is due.
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