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Hi-tech facial recognition system at BIA
The Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) is to be equipped with a Facial Recognition System (FRS) as part of the heightened security measures in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday massacres by ISIS-linked terror groups.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has informed the Defence Ministry of an offer to donate an advanced Facial Recognition System to be installed at the BIA. The need for such a system has been highlighted by law enforcement and customs officers for several years. However, their requests had been ignored.
Facial recognition technology will improve the capability of the law enforcement officers to identify suspects trying to flee through the airport.
Recently information was received that several key drug kingpins had travelled overseas using forged passports.
The system will be able to match and identify facial features of the person even if they are using a forged passport or a false name. This will also enable security officials to recognise terrorist suspects when they enter the country.
The Sunday Times learns that the system will include 10 high resolution cameras linked to a software that can match facial biometric features of persons walking past each camera against a Police watch-list of persons of interest.
The UN body will also provide guidance and training on the responsible use of biometric technology for law enforcement purposes. The system and training is estimated to cost half a million US dollars and is a donation from UNODC to the Sri Lanka Police.
The UNDOC installed a similar face recognition system at Bangladesh’s International Airport in Dhaka last year.