The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka and with generous support from the Government of Japan, officially handed over a vital set of border health, aviation security, cutting-edge technologies for passenger processing to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) today during a Donor Visibility Event held at the Silk Route Lounge.
This event, undertaken as part of the regional project, “Strengthening Capacity of Border Control for Responding to Infectious Diseases in Southwest Asia,” implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), is supported by a generous grant of USD 8.4 million from the Government of Japan aimed at building resilience at key Points of Entry (PoEs) in Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Gracing the occasion were key dignitaries including Bimal Rathnayake, Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation; H.E. Akio ISOMATA, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka; Mr. Iori KATO, Regional Director of IOM Asia Pacific; Senior Professor Kapila Perera, Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation; Ms. Kristin Parco, IOM Chief of Mission in Sri Lanka and the Maldives and Air Chief Marshal Harsha Abeywickrema (Rtd.), Chairman of AASL and other senior government and diplomatic dignitaries.
The event highlighted the third official handover of donations under the project, which includes:
- 13 Baggage and Cargo Scanners (including advanced C2 scanners for the first time in Sri Lanka),
- A Fully Equipped Isolation Room constructed within BIA premises, and
- A Compact Refuse Collection Truck with 50 Euro carts and 20 Waste Disposal Bins to enhance airport waste management systems.
The event highlighted the third official handover of donations under the project, which includes:
These contributions are part of a broader initiative to help Sri Lanka’s points of entry become future-ready to detect and respond to cross-border health threats such as pandemics and emerging infectious diseases. The equipment will support contactless screening, faster processing and improved medical and sanitation infrastructure at the airport.
