By: Staff Writer
July 06, Colombo (LNW): In a major boost to Sri Lanka’s aviation infrastructure and border health preparedness, the Government of Japan has extended critical support to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) through the donation of state-of-the-art screening and sanitation equipment. This initiative not only strengthens national resilience against future health crises but also underscores Japan’s continued commitment to improving the island nation’s aviation sector.
The equipment, officially handed over at a ceremony held at BIA’s Silk Route Lounge, is part of a broader USD 8.4 million regional grant from the Japanese government, implemented in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The donation falls under the regional project titled “Strengthening Capacity of Border Control for Responding to Infectious Diseases in Southwest Asia.”
This is the third phase of Japan’s contributions under the program and includes several high-tech installations designed to enhance both passenger safety and airport operations. These include 13 advanced baggage and cargo scanners—introducing C2-level screening technology in Sri Lanka for the first time—alongside a fully equipped isolation room for emergency medical responses.
Also included in the package is a compact refuse collection truck and 50 modern Euro carts to significantly upgrade BIA’s waste management system. These additions aim to facilitate faster, contactless passenger processing and boost the airport’s sanitation capabilities, making it more resilient to potential future pandemics.
Senior officials from the Government of Sri Lanka, the Japanese Embassy, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. (AASL), and IOM leadership participated in the handover event. The gathering was accompanied by a walkthrough showcasing the new installations, featuring live technical demonstrations by IOM and airport staff.
The event also coincided with the visit of IOM’s Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, highlighting the agency’s ongoing collaboration with Sri Lankan authorities to align national mobility systems with global health and security benchmarks.
Japan has long supported Sri Lanka’s airport development. Past assistance includes modernization projects at BIA and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, as well as feasibility studies and funding for the expansion of the airport’s terminals and runways.
Further equipment handovers under this initiative are scheduled throughout 2025, with deliveries planned for BIA, Colombo Port, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A formal closing event for the project will be held later this year, cementing Japan’s role as a key partner in Sri Lanka’s aviation and public health resilience strategy.
