The Immigration and Emigration Department has strengthened its network by introducing several state-of-the-art technologies. The modifications made to the current system at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to improve the border control procedures were made possible as part of a Border Management Project implemented by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
Sri Lanka strengthens border management system Under this project full page passport readers have been installed at the BIA. These readers can capture the full data-page image of the passport during passenger inspection at the time of entry and departure. The readers will provide an electronic confirmation as to authenticity of the passport, identify possible tampering and forgeries to the passport.
Further, the new system which is equipped with a state-of-the-art photo verification technology can match the holders photo in the data-page to the photograph stored in the passport chip. The Immigration and Emigration Department has also modified its electronic Passenger Alert List Referral Mechanism by introducing an integrated module to provide fast and secure referral mechanism.
The Department has also installed a CCTV monitoring system to monitor on-line the airport operations from its headquarters in real-time. Controller General of Immigration and Emigration Chulananda Perera has said that ability to address border management issues comprehensively and cooperatively is becoming a fundamental requirement for effective national governance and international relations as well as to achieving the countrys development goals.