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)

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The Department of Immigration and Emigration announced that electronic gates at the arrival terminal of Katunayake Airport have officially been opened today (28 Jan).

Chief Immigration Officer Jude Fernando stated that four electronic gates have been introduced under this initiative, which was implemented with assistance from the Japanese government.

He added that the “E-Gate” project will enhance efficiency at the airport. (Newswire)

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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the installation of four new automatic passenger clearance gates at the departure terminal of Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) as part of ongoing efforts to modernize border control and improve passenger processing efficiency.

The decision follows the successful installation of four e-gates at the arrival terminal, completed under a 1,170 million yen grant from the Government of Japan, through a cooperation agreement with the International Organization for Migration.

The grant was part of the regional project, Preparation for Border Infectious Disease Control in Southeast Asian Countries.

With installation set for 2026, the new e-gates are expected to streamline outbound immigration procedures, enhance accuracy, and reduce wait times at departure counters, the government said.

The project is part of broader upgrades launched in 2023 to align BIA with international airport standards. (Newswire)

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