Japan Delivers Third Round of Support to Boost Border Health Preparedness with IOM Support

2025/7/4

Colombo, 4 July 2025 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka and with generous support from the Government of Japan, officially handed over a vital set of border health, aviation security, cutting-edge technologies for passenger processing to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) today during a Donor Visibility Event held at the Silk Route Lounge.

This event, undertaken as part of the regional project, “Strengthening Capacity of Border Control for Responding to Infectious Diseases in Southwest Asia,” implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), is supported by a generous grant of USD 8.4 million from the Government of Japan aimed at building resilience at key Points of Entry (PoEs) in Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Gracing the occasion were key dignitaries including Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation; H.E. Akio ISOMATA, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka; Mr. Iori KATO, Regional Director of IOM Asia Pacific; Ms. Kristin Parco, IOM Chief of Mission in Sri Lanka and the Maldives and Air Chief Marshal Harsha Abeywickrema (Rtd.), Chairman of AASL and other senior government and diplomatic dignitaries.

The event highlighted the third official handover of donations under the project, which includes:

13 Baggage and Cargo Scanners (including advanced C2 scanners for the first time in Sri Lanka),
A Fully Equipped Isolation Room constructed within BIA premises, and
A Compact Refuse Collection Truck with 50 Euro carts and 20 Waste Disposal Bins to enhance airport waste management systems.

These contributions are part of a broader initiative to help Sri Lanka’s points of entry become future-ready to detect and respond to cross-border health threats such as pandemics and emerging infectious diseases. The equipment will support contactless screening, faster processing and improved medical and sanitation infrastructure at the airport.

Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, expressed his appreciation, stating:
“I extend my sincere thanks to the Government of Japan for their generous support—not only through this critical border health project but also for their vital role in Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring efforts, which have been pivotal to our economic recovery. I am also deeply grateful for Japan’s continued assistance towards the development of BIA Terminal 2, which will transform our main international gateway. I thank IOM as well for their steadfast collaboration in strengthening infrastructure and preparedness at our ports of entry, enabling us to better protect both travelers and staff.”

H.E. Akio ISOMATA, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, commenting on the significance of the project, said, "The promotion of tourism is an important pillar of the Sri Lankan economy, especially when the country is on a path for economic recovery. For Sri Lanka to be able to receive an increasing number of travelers in a safe and sustainable manner, it is imperative that the ports and airports be equipped with enhanced abilities to respond to infectious diseases timely and effectively at the borders.”

Soft components are also incorporated in the project, such as the training of border officials in public health emergencies based on the relevant WHO protocols. I believe assistance in soft components, together with provision of equipment and facilities, will enhance the effectiveness of the project. This project is also complementary to the ongoing bilateral assistance by Japan for the expansion of the Bandaranaike International Airport to bring the airport up to the global standards in terms of both size and quality," he added.

The event also coincided with Mr. Kato’s official visit to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, reinforcing IOM’s ongoing collaboration with national authorities in improving mobility systems aligned with international standards, including the International Health Regulations (2005).

Air Chief Marshal Harsha Abeywickrema (Retd.), speaking at the event, expressed his appreciation for the continuous support extended by IOM and the Government of Japan, noting that the donations from the Government of Japan will significantly improve BIA’s operational efficiency, security and public health preparedness.

The donation of the remaining part of the Japanese Grant under this project featuring the project closure event is planned to be held before end of the year with further handovers to both BIA and Colombo Port, as well as to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.