The Scanner machines placed at the departure section of the Bandaranaike International Airport have been removed to expedite passenger movement, a senior official of the Airport said today.Mr H. S. Hettiarachchi Head of Airport Management at Airport & Aviation Services Sri Lanka said that as the number of passengers departing the country was on the rise the measure has been taken.

He said daily more than 15,000 passengers including tourists were leaving the country daily and the machines were removed so that the movements of the passengers could be expedited.He said that in some other foreign countries too the passengers are able to directly reach the counter for checking.

Mr Hettiaarachchi said earlier due to security measures the scanner machines were required.Another official said that with the removal of the scanner machines the passengers have been seen moving faster.