President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held a discussion on 28 December at the Presidential Secretariat with the heads of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka Customs, and Airport and Aviation Services.
The meeting extensively addressed measures to prevent the entry of narcotics and other prohibited substances into the country, tackle corruption and irregularities at airports, and stop the unauthorised departure of individuals.
President Dissanayake directed the establishment of an integrated camera system and a unified observation room to be jointly managed by the Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka Customs, and Airport and Aviation Services.
He also emphasised the importance of modernising anti-smuggling efforts, urging the replacement of outdated scanning equipment with advanced, modern scanners.
To restore public trust, the President highlighted the need to eliminate the negative perceptions surrounding Sri Lanka Customs, calling for strict disciplinary and legal actions.
The discussion was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Vijitha Herath; Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala; Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Director General of Customs Sarath Nonis; Acting Controller General of Immigration and Emigration BMD Nilusha Balasuriya; and Chairman of Airport & Aviation Services Sri Lanka (Private) Ltd, Air Chief Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama.
