Safe Migration Unit opened at BIA

To prevent illegal migration on forged VISA

By T.K.G. Kapila

A Safe Migration Promotion Unit to prevent illegal migration on forged VISA through Katunayake International Airport was established last morning at the Departure Terminal in the Airport by Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara.

The minister said several individuals had left for Oman, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates on forged VISA and that it had created serious issues.

He said the Safe Migration Unit was established on the recommendations of the Ministry of Defence and the National Task Force to Prevent Human Smuggling, to prevent the movement of passengers on illegal travel documents.

The SMU comprises officers of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau, the CID, the Department of Immigration and Emigration and the State Intelligence Service.

Minister Nanayakkara said it would function as a pilot project for three months and further improved.
Chairman of the Airport and Aviation Company Major Gen. G,A.Chandrsiri (Rtd), the Airport Management Chief H.S.Hettiarachchi, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau Hilmi Azeez, General Manager Priyantha Senanayake and several senior police and CID officers were present at the occasion.

• It would function as a pilot project for three months and further improved