More than 23,000 travellers have used the newly introduced Automated Border Control (ABC) e-gates at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) since their launch on 23 December 2025, according to Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku.

Despite early technical issues that initially caused congestion at the terminal, authorities say the system has shown steady progress and improved performance. Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business, Kodithuwakku explained that minor technical problems—particularly with passport scanning and flight information—were expected as the technology was being introduced in Sri Lanka for the first time.

He noted that it took about a month for officials and travellers to fully adapt to the new system, adding that practical challenges were addressed during the early stages of implementation.

Nevertheless, the ABC e-gates processed more than 23,000 arriving passengers within one and a half months of their inauguration, demonstrating growing efficiency. The Deputy Minister said the system is expected to significantly streamline immigration procedures in the long term.

According to officials, each passenger can be cleared in less than one minute through the e-gates, compared to the conventional process that takes three to four minutes and requires dedicated immigration officers.

Sri Lanka introduced four ABC e-gates at the BIA arrival terminal under a collaborative project involving the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation, the Government of Japan, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), as part of a Japan-funded initiative aimed at strengthening border control capacities and improving responses to infectious diseases in Southwest Asia.