Sri Lanka's International Airport to Tighten Security

The security of Sri Lanka's only international airport is to be strengthened following the devastating attack by separatist Tamil Tiger rebels last month, airport officials said.

They said that the measures to be taken include the double fencing of the perimeter of the Bandaranaike International Airport and the installation of electronic surveillance and alarm devices.

The security measures have been decided by a national committee appointed by President Chandrika Kumaratunga to review and monitor the country's civil aviation activities, specially the Bandaranaike International Airport.

The closed circuit television cameras and X-ray machines will be used in the arrival lounge to increase security. The vegetation outside the airport perimeter obstructing clear vision will be pruned to a much shorter height.

Watch towers at the most vulnerable points along perimeter of the airport will also be erected to further boost defense and surveillance system.

Last month the Tamil Tiger rebels launched a pre-dawn attack on the Bandaranaike International Airport and adjoining air force base destroying or damaging 14 civilian and military aircraft in all.






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