Four new automated passenger clearance gates for the departure terminal at Katunayake Airport

Cabinet approval has been granted to install four new automated passenger clearance gates for the departure terminal at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). This decision has been taken as part of ongoing efforts to modernize border control and enhance the efficiency of passenger processes.

This decision follows the successful installation of four e-gates at the arrival terminal previously. These gates were installed through a grant of JPY 1,170 million received from the Government of Japan, under a cooperation agreement with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

This grant was part of a regional project titled 'Preparation for Border Infectious Disease Control in Southeast Asian Countries'.

The new e-gates are scheduled to be installed in 2026, and the government states that this will simplify immigration procedures for outbound passengers, enhance data accuracy, and minimize waiting times at departure counters.

This project is part of a comprehensive upgrade program initiated in 2023 to bring Bandaranaike International Airport in line with international airport standards.