BIA immigration computer system restored after two-and-a-half-hour outage

20 September 2025 06:15 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 5 Bookmark

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By T.K.G Kapila

Colombo , Sep.20 (Daily Mirror) - The Border Control Computer System at the arrival and departure terminals of the Department of Immigration and Emigration at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), which was inactive for two and a half hours, was restored at 4.15 p.m. today (20).

The system went down around 1.45 p.m., causing major disruptions to immigration operations until it was reactivated in the evening.

Meanwhile, reports have surfaced of cyberattacks targeting immigration computer systems in several European and other countries.

Sources within the Immigration and Emigration Department revealed that the BIA system has been installed and maintained by a private company for the past eight years. They added that the system suffers frequent breakdowns, often going inactive several times a month, while on many days it slows down considerably in the afternoon.

Officials have said the urgent need for a government-owned and government-maintained computer system to ensure efficiency and security, especially as Sri Lanka records a steady increase in tourist arrivals.

Comments - 5

SLPP government awarded contract the problem Sunday, 21 September 2025 03:50 AM

I wonder if SLPP affiliated persons still get commission from the contract for the BIA system that broke down.

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Same system for eight years is madness Sunday, 21 September 2025 03:52 AM

Eight years for Windows software can't be kept the same for that long. Rather than focus on another Microsoft system, the contract should be awarded government or private sector, such that someone else can take over after three years. Current approach with Microsoft, versus Open Source stack, allows too much for vendor lock in.

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Dr Tissa Fernando Sunday, 21 September 2025 06:33 AM

Private company is only looking gor quick profits. They may be accessing sensitive personal information as well. These should never be given yo a private company.

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Just saying Sunday, 21 September 2025 07:20 AM

Good that this has been identified and exposed now. Definitely needs to be Sri Lankan government owned entity. Serious risk to national security and potential data breach!

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Vijeth Sunday, 21 September 2025 12:14 PM

I work in private IT company, and problem is with government is that they want to keep their cake and eat it too. Government IT or private company whoever does it has to have contract with BIA, to maintain. I don't have problem with government entity providing the IT to government, but then that can't become another corrupted entity once the government changes.

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