Sasanka De Silva Pannipitiya.

The Editor,

LankaWeb.

Dear Sir,

A few days ago I went to the department of Immigration and Emigration in Battaramulla to get an amendment to my passport.

It was so chaotic with thousands of people trying to gain access and with no proper arrangements to have any orderly entry.

If people are given online appointments within specified time slots, then why does it have to be so chaotic and disorganized?

The guards who man those entry points were of no help to anyone; as they live in their own aloof worlds.

After speaking to many in different uniforms, I finally found the right entry point and got access without much hassle.

When I reached the Acceptance counter, I was asked by the female staff who was manning the counter whether I had spoken to Madam first.

I wanted to enlighten her that there are no Madams in public service except public servants, but knowing well, that antagonizing a government servant means that you should be ready for a big and long battle, and I was not in the mood for that this morning.

Instead, I asked who “Seuvandi Mani” were you referring to, but unfortunately, she did not get the drift, so I had to join another queue to see this so-called Madam.

When my turn came up, I explained my requirement Assistant Controller and she points blankly said that they were unable to make amendments to the details on the Bio page.

When I questioned her the reason as to why it couldn’t be done, she looked at me scornfully and placed her signature on my application.

The due amount was paid, and within 90 minutes I got my passport back with the requested amendment stamped on it.

I am still unable to fathom as to why someone holding a high position in the public service behaves in such a manner.

My only explanation is that most Sri Lankans are very sadistic in nature, and they become more sadistic when they are in uniforms or have a certain level of authority.

I have already written separately to the Controller I & E requesting him to reeducate public servants under his purview on how to interact with the public in future.

This is being written for the public interest only.

Sasanka De Silva

Pannipitiya.