'MIU and lost passport database, vital for border security'

Sandasen MARASINGHE

Defence Ministry Additional Secretary S Hettiarachchi stated that the establishment of a Migration Intelligence Unit (MIU) and a National Stolen and Lost Travel Document Passport Database with on-line real-time access to Interpol's global database, not only makes our country safe but also contributes to border security of neighbouring countries and beyond.

He said so at the inauguration ceremony of a two-day workshop on integration of Interpol database services with the Sri Lanka Immigration Information System through the National Central Bureau and the establishment of National Stolen and Lost Passport Database.

The Additional Secretary further stated that during the last three decades Sri Lanka has suffered a lot due to terrorism that threatened the very social fabric and this project would support the country to enhance its strength in counter-terrorism by preventing the cross-border criminal activities as they are the main avenues of collecting finances for terrorists.

IOM mission's Chief Richard Dauzider said that the Sri Lankan government is concentrating on boosting tourism and this project would support the country immensely to identify those who are arriving and leaving the country.

Canadian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Bruce Levy stated that Canada and Sri Lanka are maintaining a bilateral relationship for nearly six decades since the implementation of the Colombo Plan. Since then Canada had been providing assistance at crucial times such as the tsunami and providing reliefs to the IDPs. He said this project is also very significant in the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

He added that Canada is pleased to assist in strengthening the existing border control mechanisms to bolster Sri Lanka's counter-terrorism capacity.

The workshop is a component of a Canadian government funded project to support Sri Lanka's border security by strengthening its capacity to collect, analyze and share immigration intelligence. It is also a part of a broader global Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Programme established by Canada.