Automated passenger clearance gates at BIA departure terminal

Wednesday, 31 December 2025 00:27 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved the installation of four automatic passenger clearance gates at the departure terminal of Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), further advancing efforts to modernise the country’s main international gateway in line with global standards.

The move follows ongoing upgrades at BIA under a cooperation agreement between the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the Government of Japan. The improvements, which commenced in 2023, are being carried out with the support of a Japanese grant of ¥1,170 million under the project titled “Preparation for Border Infectious Disease Control in Southeast Asian Countries.”

As part of the project, four automatic passenger clearance gates have already been installed at the arrival terminal, with plans to commence passenger clearance through these gates in the near future. “The automated system is expected to enable faster, more accurate and more efficient processing of passengers, while strengthening border management and public health safeguards,” Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday.

Recognising the benefits of a unified approach to passenger processing, he said the Cabinet has now approved the installation of a further four automatic passenger clearance gates at the departure terminal. “This will allow the same methodology used at arrivals to be extended to departing passengers, enhancing overall operational efficiency at the airport,” he added.

The proposal to this effect was submitted by the Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala.