The government has received cabinet approval to introduce fingerprint data to the passports to enhance the security features.

This project proposed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Minister of Defence and Urban Development aims to enhance the security features of passports by streamlining the Automated Fingerprint Identification System.

The total estimated cost of the project is Rs.679.7 million of which Rs.629.7 million is to be provided as a grant by the Australian Government, through the International Organization for Migration which will be responsible for the project management and procurement process, in association with the Department of Immigration and Emigration.