December 29, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake convened a high-level meeting at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (28) with the heads of key agencies responsible for national border security, including the Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka Customs, and Airport and Aviation Services.
The discussion, which tackled a range of pressing issues, centred on strengthening measures to curb the illegal flow of narcotics and prohibited substances into the country, addressing corruption and irregularities within airport operations, and preventing the unlawful departure of individuals from Sri Lanka, according to a statement by the President’s Media Division (PMD).
A significant outcome of the meeting was President Dissanayake’s directive to implement a comprehensive and state-of-the-art monitoring system.
The proposed system will include an integrated network of surveillance cameras and a shared observation room that will be accessible to all three agencies involved.
This initiative aims to enhance coordination and ensure better oversight, making it harder for illicit activities to go undetected.
The President also underlined the importance of modernising the current security processes at the nation’s airports.
He called for the urgent replacement of outdated scanning technology with more advanced and effective scanners to combat smuggling and enhance the detection of contraband.
Such modern equipment, he stated, would be vital in ensuring the safety of both the country’s borders and its people.
Moreover, President Dissanayake raised concerns about the negative image that has become associated with Sri Lanka Customs.
He stressed that urgent reforms were needed to address corruption within the agency, with a clear emphasis on enforcing strict disciplinary actions and implementing robust legal frameworks.
The goal is to restore public trust in Customs and demonstrate the government’s commitment to transparency and integrity.
The meeting was attended by several key government figures, including Vijitha Herath, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism; Ananda Wijepala, the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs; Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President; Sarath Nonis, the Director General of Customs; BMD Nilusha Balasuriya, Acting Controller General of Immigration and Emigration; and Air Chief Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama, Chairman of Airport & Aviation Services Sri Lanka (Private) Ltd.
