The Commissioner General of the Department of Registration of Persons RMS Sarath Kumara has already issued instructions to this effect in a circular dated November 11, 2014 to various authorities including Divisional Secretaries, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development and Secretary to the Foreign Employment Ministry.

The circular has also been sent to the head of the Foreign Employment Bureau to be circulated to all foreign employment agencies.

Likewise all those who leave the country for a period in excess of six months will have to submit their national Identity cards to the Registrar of the Department of Registration of Persons or to an officer of the Ports and Airports Authority, Department or Immigration and Emigration.

Anyone failing to give up his or her national Identity card can face a fine of Rs.1000 or a prison term of between three months to one year.