BIA on alert

Following the ISIS attacks at the Brussels Airport in Belgium, Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), which is tasked with securing the country's international airports, have intensified security operations at the main Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake.

Starting yesterday (March 25), airplanes taking off from the BIA and landing there will be subjected to a special security screening by a team of the Sri Lanka Air Force personnel, airport officials said. Incoming aircraft will be subjected to a thorough check after the passengers deplane.

Special security teams will also extensively screen the passengers arriving at the airport from overseas. Additional security patrols will be posted throughout the airport terminal building round the clock, the officials said.

Air Force Commander Air Marshal Gagan Bulathsinghala visited the airport yesterday and personally inspected the security procedures at the airport.

Sri Lankan authorities suspect that the island is being used as a transit point by individuals with connections to terror groups.

The Maldives government has recently said that around 35 to 40 of its nationals have gone to Syria, most probably to join the Islamic State (ISIS). However, the Maldivian opposition says that the numbers are much higher and at least 200 have gone to Syria to join the ISIS.

Authorities say Maldivians often use Colombo as a transit to travel to other countries in the Middle East and Syria.

It has been reported that several Maldivians who were unable to clearly and convincingly show purpose of their travel, have been returned by the airport authorities without allowing them to proceed.

-news.lk