New equipment for BIA’s additional safety

Rajmi Manatunga

COLOMBO: The Government will install additional security equipment at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to ensure the safety of the airport and its users.

A high-tech baggage and cargo screening system will shortly be established at the BIA while surveillance cameras will be set-up covering all divisions of the airport.

Deputy Aviation Minister Sarath Kumara Gunaratne said the new security measures follow the Government’s decision to declare the airport premises a High Security Zone.

“The new screening system will have the capacity to monitor 60 trucks or containers carrying baggage per hour and to scan any material within the baggage. It has also been decided to issue a special licence renewable annually to tourist coaches used by the airport,” he said.

Special attention will also be paid to the police records of persons employed at the ‘Cargo Village’ where cargo is stored before discharging. Plans are also under way to commence a transport service between the BIA and Evariyawatte.

Gunaratne emphasised that the co-operation of all persons using the airport was essential to ensure its security.