Sri Lanka's Cabinet has given the green light to publish a revised Immigration bill that includes provisions for biometric data integration into electronic passports.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a resolution from the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs to gazette a draft Immigration bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman. The proposed legislation is now set to be published in the government gazette and subsequently forwarded to Parliament for formal consideration.
Among the key provisions in the amended bill is the establishment of a new certification framework for electronic passports. According to the Cabinet decision, the Secretary to the Ministry responsible for Immigration and Emigration will be designated as the Country Signing Certification Authority. This role will oversee the implementation of biometric data technology incorporated into the microchip of electronic passports scheduled for future issuance.
The move represents an effort to modernize Sri Lanka's immigration and passport systems through enhanced security features. The shift toward biometric-enabled electronic passports aligns with international standards for travel documentation and is intended to strengthen border control and identity verification processes.
