Sri Lanka moves to expedite Japan-funded e-gate project at ports and airports
Daily FT: A high-level commiee meeng was recently held at the Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviaon Ministry to accelerate the implementaon of the electronic gate (e-gate) system project, which is being carried out with grant assistance from the Government of Japan. The meeng aimed at reviewing the progress and addressing bolenecks in the project, was chaired by Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviaon Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku. Also in aendance were Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala, Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviaon Ministry Secretary Senior Prof. Kapila C. Perera and Acng Chief of Staff of Japan Kamoshida Naoki. Representaves from key Government agencies including the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), Airport and Aviaon Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. (AASL), Sri Lanka Customs, Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Internaonal Organisaon for Migraon (IOM) represented by Head of Mission Chrisne Parko, also parcipated in the discussions. The commiee engaged in a comprehensive review of the project’s current status, focusing on the installaon of modern electronic gate systems at key points of entry and exit in Sri Lanka. These systems are expected to enhance border control efficiency, strengthen naonal security and streamline passenger processing at ports and airports. Parcipants deliberated on various administrave, technical, and logiscal challenges that may arise during the project’s implementaon. Parcular emphasis was placed on tailoring certain aspects of the project to beer fit Sri Lanka’s infrastructure and operaonal needs. The commiee expressed a strong commitment to ensuring the project’s swi and successful compleon. Suggesons were put forward to fast-track approval processes, enhance inter-agency coordinaon, and incorporate localised soluons that align with internaonal standards.
OSL take: The steady growth in foreign travelers to Sri Lanka has resulted in the need for the country to further develop the airport and aviaon sectors, especially in the development of infrastructure and supplementary infrastructure facilies to meet the fast-increasing demand. The growing business potenal in Sri Lanka, especially in the airport and aviaon industry, is evident by the funding being provided through foreign assistance and by mullateral financial instuons to upli and develop the industry to address the needs of the fast-expansion. Foreign businesses/investors could therefore confidently explore the expanding business/investment opportunies in Sri Lanka’s airport and aviaon industry as well as look at providing the latest global developments and technological advancements in the industry to ensure Sri Lanka is on par with the fast-developing global industry as the country is working towards becoming a hub in the South Asian region. The ongoing development expansion programmes also present opportunies for foreign businesses/investors while they could also focus on the increasing potenal in the Sri Lankan government’s programme to upli and develop the domesc aviaon industry to improve internal connecvity and support the fast-growing tourism industry.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20250604/Z_2 |