Facial Recognition Goes Full Scale at Sri Lanka’s Main Airport

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs has announced a major security upgrade at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake, with plans to install facial recognition cameras at all immigration counters.

According to Minister Ananda Wijepala, only eight counters currently have these surveillance systems in place.

Under the new initiative, facial recognition technology will be deployed across all 30 immigration and emigration counters, with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Police.

The minister emphasized that this move is aimed at enhancing national security by enabling authorities to identify organized criminals, individuals with outstanding warrants, and suspects involved in serious crimes as they attempt to enter or leave the country.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) will monitor the system 24/7 to ensure real-time identification and response.

Until the full rollout is complete, immigration officials have been instructed to utilize the existing facial recognition-equipped counters as frequently as possible.

Minister Wijepala further stated that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to tighten airport security and prevent the illegal departure or arrival of individuals involved in criminal activities.