President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held a crucial meeting today (28) at the Presidential Secretariat to address pressing issues at Sri Lanka’s airports, including the prevention of illegal narcotics entry, curbing corruption, and halting unauthorized exits from the country.
The meeting brought together key officials from the Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka Customs, and Airport and Aviation Services. President Dissanayake emphasized the urgent need for coordinated efforts to ensure the safety, integrity, and reputation of Sri Lanka’s borders.
A significant decision made during the discussion was the establishment of an integrated camera system and a unified observation room to improve surveillance and inter-agency cooperation. The President also called for the replacement of outdated scanning equipment with advanced, modern scanners to better detect smuggling activities.
Addressing public concerns over corruption, the President stressed the importance of eliminating negative perceptions surrounding Sri Lanka Customs by implementing strict disciplinary measures and legal actions. These steps aim to restore public confidence in the institution.
The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Vijitha Herath; Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala; Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Director General of Customs Sarath Nonis; Acting Controller General of Immigration and Emigration BMD Nilusha Balasuriya; and Chairman of Airport & Aviation Services Sri Lanka, Air Chief Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama.
These initiatives are expected to significantly enhance airport security, combat corruption, and improve Sri Lanka’s global image as a secure and reliable destination.
