The Cabinet has approved the purchase and installation of eight additional automated passenger clearance gates at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), increasing the planned total number of gates to 12.
The latest decision follows earlier Cabinet approval granted in May 2025 for the purchase and installation of four automated passenger clearance gates at the airport.
Under the new plan, the automated clearance facility, which has so far been limited to Sri Lankan nationals, is expected to be expanded to foreign nationals arriving in and departing from Sri Lanka.
The expansion is planned alongside the introduction of the country’s e-passport issuance system in 2027.
The Government said the decision to increase the number of gates was also taken considering the continued growth in air passenger numbers alongside developments in the tourism and business sectors.
Once completed, BIA will have 12 automated passenger clearance gates, with the new facilities expected to streamline immigration clearance for passengers.
The Cabinet approved a proposal presented by the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs to commence the procurement process for the eight additional gates. (Newswire)