Sri Lanka launches e-channelling for FM’s consular services to minimize corruption, inefficiency
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry launched e-channeling for people to get online appointment when they want to get the consular services and Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said the move will minimize corruption and inefficiency.
The Ministry launched the new service in collaboration with the state-run telecom provider Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel, the mobile phone arm of the country’s largest landline network.
“With this, I hope our services will improve. You don’t need to be anywhere in queues. Just like QR code. This is just beginning. We will integrate entire Sri Lankan embassies all over the world and digitize,” Sabry told reporters in Colombo at the launch.
“The digitalization will take unnecessary power of discretion vested on people. One way of eliminating corruption and inefficiency is improving technology.”
The e-channeling appointment system will enable the public to obtain online appointments for authentication of documents at the Consular Affairs Division and its Regional Consular Offices in Jaffna, Trincomalee, Kandy, Kurunegala and Matara.
The public seeking authentication services may dial 225 (Mobile subscribers) or 1225 (landline subscribers) and via Mobitel e-channeling (www.echannelling.com) to obtain an appointment. Appointments can also be obtained by accessing the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on www.mfa.gov.lk. (Colombo/Sept29/2022)
