Colombo (LNW): A total 29,578 people have applied online to obtain passports, following the new service introduced at 51 divisional secretariats across the island, revealed Public Security Minister Tiran Alles. Among the applicants, 5,294 people have submitted their applications for the one-day service and 24,285 for the normal service. The government of Sri Lanka introduced a new passport system last month commencing from June 15, where 51 divisional secretariats islandwide will be operational enabling passport applicants to obtain passports from their hometowns without having to visit the Immigration Department in Colombo. Accordingly, applicants can visit any of the 51 designated divisional secretariats to register, and the necessary payments can be made online or by visiting a branch of the Bank of Ceylon. The new system is ending the long queues at the Immigration Office in Battaramulla, making it easier for the applicants to obtain their passports, Minister Alles pointed out.