Review

By Jamila Najmuddin 

With the minimum age being 16 to obtain identification (ID) cards, the time period that the Registration of Persons Department takes in issuing an ID card is too lengthy.

With a time period of almost two months taken to issue these cards, various people who were standing outside the department in the hot blazing sun last week, who had come to forward their applications, voiced their opinion that the issue of a card should be expedited, especially with the prevailing situation in the country.

"I have come here today with my son to apply for his ID card. He is 17 and as the minimum age, which one could apply for a card is 16, I feel it is best if he can get the card as soon as possible," S. Ganepala said.

Dangerous situation

He added that with the 'tense' situation in the country today, it is dangerous for his young son to go out without an ID card. "Although I have forwarded all the necessary documents to the department, I am dissatisfied with the lengthy time period that these officials take in issuing the card. They told me that the card would be sent by post in about two months. They also told me that if I needed the card within one day, I would have to pay Rs. 500. If I was so rich I would not have come all the way here with my son in the bus. I would have been driving in an air conditioned car," he said.

Long delay

M. Muttukrishnan, a resident of Wellawatte said that this was the second time he applied for the ID card since the first card had been lost. "I have applied for another card today but I am dissatisfied because I will receive this card only after a month or so although I have given all the necessary documents that they have asked for," he said.

He added that meanwhile if any security personnel on the road stop him, he has nothing to show them. "I am a Tamil, so I make it a point to carry my passport with me till I get my ID card," he said.

For K. Ismail, the lengthy period of issuing an ID card does not affect him as he will be able to obtain his card within a day's time. "I paid the required amount that is needed to obtain the ID card within one day. However, I feel that the issue of cards should be expedited because not everybody can afford to pay Rs. 500 and get the card within one day," he said.

When the The Sunday Leader contacted the Registration of Person's Department, officials said that a period of one to two months is taken in issuing the cards since they had to send it by post. "We have to first check to ascertain whether all the documents are in order because sometimes, we do not get the necessary documents that are required," officials said.

Requirements

According to them, the documents needed to apply for an ID for the first time is the applicant's original birth certificate, three photographs and a stamp for Rs. 3.

A person applying for the card due to their first card being lost has to forward a stamp for Rs. 15, the Grama Niladhari's letter, three photographs of the applicant, a police report and a photocopy of the applicant's birth certificate.

Officials added that those who apply for a new card, even though they have the first ID card, have to issue a service certificate - whatever service or job that they are involved in, a stamp for Rs. 15, three photographs and the old ID card.

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