The Cabinet has granted approval to expand the number of automated passenger clearance gates (e-gates) at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to 12.
The decision expands upon an earlier decision in May 2025 that approved four initial e-gates, with eight additional units now set to be procured through formal procurement procedures. The expansion comes ahead of Sri Lanka’s planned introduction of e-passports in 2027.
While the automated clearance facility was originally limited to Sri Lankan citizens, the system will now be accessible to arriving and departing foreign travelers to manage rapidly growing passenger volumes in the tourism and business sectors.
The proposal was submitted by the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs.
