My Experience at the Passport Office in Battaramulla – April 28, 2026
I arrived at the passport office around 5:20 a.m. The seating area for the one-day service was already almost full.
Step 1: Waiting Area
Around 6:00 a.m., a police officer addressed everyone and explained that it is no longer necessary to come very early. According to him, anyone can still get their passport through the one-day service if they arrive before 1:00 p.m. ㄟ( ▔, ▔ )ㄏ
Step 2: Entering the Building
After that, we were directed to the 2nd floor inside the building.
As soon as you enter, there are two officers who check your documents and staple them in the correct order.
Step 3: Getting the Token Number
At the first counter on the 2nd floor, they scan the barcode on your Photo Submission Acknowledgement Note and issue a token number.
Step 4: Waiting for Your Number
There is a seating area where everyone waits until their token number appears on the screen.
When my number was called, along with around 15 others, we were directed to the section for:
Step 5: Submitting Documents
You need to check the screen to see which counter number you should go to.
After submitting your documents, sit in front of that same counter until the other officer calls you again for fingerprinting.
Step 6: Fingerprinting and Payment
Once fingerprinting is completed, go to the cashier next to the counter and make the payment.
The receipt includes:
Step 7: Collecting the Passport
To collect your passport, go to the C Wing on the 1st floor.
You only need to show the payment receipt when they call your name. (mine was called at 11.40 a.m.)
Total Time Taken
From the time I made the payment until I received my passport, the entire process took around 3 hours and 30 minutes.
I was able to leave with my new passport at around 12:00 noon, after arriving at 5:20 a.m.
My Thoughts on the New Passport (～￣▽￣)～
My first impression was that it felt a bit cheaper than the previous version, especially because:
I arrived at the passport office around 5:20 a.m. The seating area for the one-day service was already almost full.
Step 1: Waiting Area
Around 6:00 a.m., a police officer addressed everyone and explained that it is no longer necessary to come very early. According to him, anyone can still get their passport through the one-day service if they arrive before 1:00 p.m. ㄟ( ▔, ▔ )ㄏ
Step 2: Entering the Building
After that, we were directed to the 2nd floor inside the building.
As soon as you enter, there are two officers who check your documents and staple them in the correct order.
- They removed the photocopy of my birth certificate
- They only kept the original birth certificate
- The birth certificate must have been issued within the last 6 months
Step 3: Getting the Token Number
At the first counter on the 2nd floor, they scan the barcode on your Photo Submission Acknowledgement Note and issue a token number.
- You must keep this token with you until payment is completed
- My token number was 167 (received at 7.20 a.m.)
Step 4: Waiting for Your Number
There is a seating area where everyone waits until their token number appears on the screen.
When my number was called, along with around 15 others, we were directed to the section for:
- Document submission
- Fingerprinting
- Payment
Step 5: Submitting Documents
You need to check the screen to see which counter number you should go to.
After submitting your documents, sit in front of that same counter until the other officer calls you again for fingerprinting.
Step 6: Fingerprinting and Payment
Once fingerprinting is completed, go to the cashier next to the counter and make the payment.
- They accept card payments
- Keep the payment receipt carefully
The receipt includes:
- Payment time (mine was 8.10 a.m.)
- Counter number where your passport will be issued
Step 7: Collecting the Passport
To collect your passport, go to the C Wing on the 1st floor.
You only need to show the payment receipt when they call your name. (mine was called at 11.40 a.m.)
Total Time Taken
From the time I made the payment until I received my passport, the entire process took around 3 hours and 30 minutes.
I was able to leave with my new passport at around 12:00 noon, after arriving at 5:20 a.m.
My Thoughts on the New Passport (～￣▽￣)～
My first impression was that it felt a bit cheaper than the previous version, especially because:
- The bio data page feels thinner
- It now has only 48 pages
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