Sri Lanka's Cabinet has given approval for a new Immigration Bill to be published in the Government Gazette, marking an effort to modernize the country's immigration framework after a previous draft stalled following parliamentary dissolution.
The Cabinet of Ministers has authorized the publication of a revised draft Immigration Bill aimed at replacing the outdated Immigrants and Emigrants Act No. 20 of 1948 with contemporary legislation governing immigration and emigration procedures. The measure, proposed by Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshana Nanayakkara, will now advance to Parliament for legislative consideration.
The government's decision comes after a prior draft bill faced setbacks when Parliament was dissolved on 24 September 2024. The Cabinet reconsidered the legislative initiative in light of a Supreme Court ruling concerning the earlier version. A fresh draft was subsequently approved at a Cabinet meeting on 18 August 2025, representing the government's renewed commitment to updating the immigration legal framework.
In December 2025, the Cabinet approved additional modifications focused on electronic passport implementation. The updated bill now includes provisions designating the Secretary of the Ministry responsible for Immigration and Emigration as the Country Signing Certification Authority, a measure intended to support the rollout and security protocols for digital passports and biometric identification systems.
The proposed legislation is designed to establish a modernized legal structure for managing immigration and emigration administration while incorporating security measures necessary for the implementation of electronic travel documents and biometric technologies.
