The Immigration and Emigration Department of Sri Lanka recently upgraded its border control system by introducing a series of modifications to the current system.

The full page passport readers at the Bandaranaike International Airport have now been installed. The new readers will enable the capture of full data-page image of the passport during passenger inspection at the time of entry and departure. It will provide the officers an electronic confirmation as to authenticity of the passport, identify possible tampering and forgeries to the passport.

The new system is also equipped with a state-of-the-art photo verification technology in which the holder’s photo in the data-page is electronically matched with the photograph stored in the passport chip. Alongside these developments, the Department has also modified its electronic Passenger Alert List Referral Mechanism by introducing an integrated module to provide fast and secure referral mechanism.

A new CCTV monitoring system is also introduced enabling on-line; real-time monitoring of airport operation from the department headquarters. These developments were made possible as part of a Border Management Project implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The project was funded by the United Kingdom Government.

Controller General of Immigration and Emigration Chulananda Perera, said the ability to address border management issues comprehensively and cooperatively is now becoming a fundamental requirement for effective national governance and international relations as well as to achieving our development goals.

British High Commissioner, Dr Peter Hayes, said, “The UK Government is happy to support this project which not only enhances and improves border control procedures, but will also help prevent the movement of irregular migrants through the Bandaranaike International Airport.