Sri Lanka has announced plans to install biometric stations at 20 of its diplomatic missions around the world to enhance consular services for citizens living overseas. The Cabinet of Ministers approved the initiative under Cabinet Paper 22/2025, signed today. The new system aims to make passport applications more accessible and secure for the Sri Lankan diaspora.
According to the Cabinet decision, the biometric stations will allow Sri Lankan citizens abroad to submit passport applications and provide required biometric data, including fingerprints and photographs, directly at diplomatic missions. The process is intended to reduce the need for citizens to travel back to Sri Lanka for passport renewals or new applications.
The project builds on Sri Lanka’s broader digital transformation efforts. Earlier in 2025, the government procured 700,000 biometric national identity cards as part of its move toward electronic identification systems. Sri Lanka also participated in the Digital Public Infrastructure Summit in February 2025, signaling its commitment to modernizing public services through digital technologies.
The Cabinet communiqué described the biometric passport project as a way to deliver faster and more secure services to Sri Lankans living abroad. The initiative will receive technical support and equipment from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which is collaborating with the government to ensure the system adheres to international standards for biometric data collection and protection.
The locations for the 20 diplomatic missions have not yet been publicly disclosed. However, government officials have indicated that missions in countries with significant Sri Lankan expatriate populations will be prioritized to maximize the program’s impact.
The biometric stations will integrate with Sri Lanka’s existing online passport application system, enabling more comprehensive digital consular services. The Department of Immigration & Emigration will oversee the implementation of the new system, managing both the technical infrastructure and operational processes involved in biometric data capture and secure document issuance.
By adopting biometric technology at overseas missions, the government expects to streamline administrative procedures, enhance security measures, and improve service delivery for Sri Lankan nationals abroad. This approach reflects a global shift toward digital identity systems and secure, chip-enabled identification cards, as seen in similar initiatives in other countries. Countries like Switzerland are likewise investing in biometric identification systems to modernize government services and border controls.
Sources: Daily Mirror, Ada Derana, Lanka Leader
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team
