By: Staff Writer
February 28, Colombo (LNW): The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with relevant ministries of the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) and the Government of Maldives (GoM) launched a regional project ‘Strengthening Capacity of Border Control for Responding to Infectious Diseases in Southwest Asia’.
With a fund of US$ 8.6 million, provided by the Government of Japan (GoJ), the project intends to strengthen overall border management capacities in Sri Lanka and the Republic of the Maldives to prevent the spread of infectious diseases that would otherwise impede the revitalization of human mobility.
The Cabinet of Ministers has given the go-ahead to a proposal seeking to upgrade the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake and the Colombo Port to be on par with the international practices, recommendations and standards under a grant provided by Japan.
As Sri Lanka’s economy is mainly dependent on the income generated from international tourism and business travel, the government says this requires smooth operation of entry points into the country, building confidence among travellers and arranging cross-border entry points to comply with international health regulations on movement.
Government of Japan has provided a grant of Yen 1.17 billion ot $7.79 million through the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to further strengthen border-related health preparedness at points of entry, direct contribution to the control of infectious diseases and the overall security of all passengers, staff and staff at points of entry during health emergencies.
Under the grant, the facilities of BIA, Colombo Port and the Maldives International Airport are planned to be upgraded.
As such the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation to implement the relevant project in tandem with the Ministry of Health, Department of Immigration, Airports and Air Services Company and Sri Lanka Port Authority.
The dramatic reduction in human mobility has been one of the most significant effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This had major economic and social impacts in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, which are heavily reliant upon income from international tourism, labour migration and business travel.
The border closures and associated restrictions disrupted regular trade exchanges and impacted migration flows, as well as exposed border management agencies and cross-border communities to higher risks of infection.
The component of the project focusing on Sri Lanka will improve safety and security, and support process efficiency at primary points of entry (PoEs) to ensure more effective preparedness and proactive response to potential public health emergencies due to infectious disease outbreaks. The project will thus help interventions at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) at Katunayake and the Colombo Port in Sri Lanka in compliance with International Health Regulations with approximately 700 PoE personnel and officers in Sri Lanka trained, in addition to the provision of improved infrastructure.
