The Department of Immigration and Emigration has announced the official opening of the first Automated Border Control (ABC) electronic gates (e-gates) at the arrival terminal of Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), starting today (28). 

Chief Immigration and Emigration Officer Jude Fernando confirmed that four e-gates will be operational from today.

The project is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation, the Government of Japan, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). 

Jude Fernando highlighted that the new e-gates will significantly enhance operational efficiency at the airport.

This initiative is part of a Japan-funded project, implemented by IOM, aimed at strengthening border control capacities, particularly in response to infectious diseases in Southwest Asia.