Government Cancels Controversial Electronic Passport Procurement Process
The Sri Lankan government has decided to cancel, with immediate effect, the controversial procurement process for the printing and distribution of electronic passports (e-passports), a project that had generated significant public debate and controversy over the past several months.
Member of Parliament Ajith Perera officially disclosed this information to the media.
According to him, the Controller General of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, Chaminda Pathiraja, sent a special email notification to all bidders on May 29 informing them of the cancellation of the project.
The email stated that the Cabinet of Ministers had directed the immediate cancellation of the procurement process related to the project titled:
“Supply of Personalization System and Related Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) Components for e-Passports for the Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka”
The project, identified under procurement reference number DIE/PRO/PKI/2025, had been opened for international tenders last year.
The long-delayed e-passport initiative had recently become the subject of numerous allegations concerning irregularities and procedural issues.
Four unsuccessful bidders who had submitted proposals for the project formally appealed to the Procurement Appeals Board on January 2, 2026. Comprehensive hearings on these appeals were conducted on January 6, 2026, and a report containing recommendations was subsequently submitted to the relevant authorities for further action.
The findings and recommendations arising from these appeals are believed to have contributed significantly to the government’s decision to cancel the procurement process.
In the cancellation notice dated May 29, the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration expressed appreciation and gratitude, on behalf of the department, to all local and international companies that had invested their time, effort, and resources in submitting bids for the public procurement process.
The decision marks a significant development in Sri Lanka’s efforts to introduce a new electronic passport system and is expected to influence future procurement and immigration modernization initiatives.
