The Criminal Investigation Department has reportedly requested the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption to investigate the award of the tender to supply passports to Sri Lanka to a private company called Epic Lanka for a period of 21 years and the related procurement process.
Sources in the Criminal Investigation Department say that the request was made following a complaint filed by Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, President of the Medical and Civil Rights Trade Union Alliance.
The complaint alleges fraud in the Drug Regulatory Authority’s data and alleged fraud in the procurement process of passports.
The plaintiff states that a new revised agreement was signed on September 13, 2024, amending the original contract to provide 750,000 MRP (regular) passports and 4.25 million electronic passports.
Accordingly, Epic Lanka filed a case in the Court of Appeal against the purchase of MRP (regular) passports from Thaled/JITT companies and the electronic passport contract and obtained an interim order in this regard on September 27, the plaintiff further stated.
It further states that the interim injunction was modified on October 1st, allowing Epic Lanka to supply MRP (regular) passports subject to payment of US$1.45 per passport, and that the Court of Appeal did not extend the interim injunction beyond December 18th.
Due to the lack of a proper decision, the current daily passport requirement has become a crisis, and the number of passports issued daily has been limited to 3000, while there is a demand of nearly 4000-5000 passports.