Sri Lanka is set to tighten SIM card registration requirements, including introducing live photograph verification for new connections, as authorities seek to curb the use of mobile connections for illegal activities.
Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) Director General Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Bandula Herath said law enforcement authorities, including the police and Ministry of Defence, have raised concerns over the increased use of SIM cards for illegal activities in recent years.
Herath said Sri Lanka has nearly 30 million active SIM connections and that stronger identification procedures are being introduced for new subscribers.
Under the proposed system, a person obtaining a new SIM card will be required to provide a live photograph as part of the registration and identity verification process.
Herath said the measures are aimed primarily at preventing the misuse of SIM cards for illegal activities and are not expected to create difficulties for ordinary subscribers.
He said that under the current system, an individual can obtain up to five SIM cards from a single mobile network operator using one National Identity Card. With three mobile operators, an individual could obtain up to 15 SIM cards using the same identity card.
Meanwhile, Herath said work is continuing to introduce number portability in Sri Lanka, which would allow subscribers to switch to another service provider without changing their existing telephone number.
The TRCSL began work on number portability several years ago, including consultations with operators and the establishment of Lanka Number Portability Services (Guarantee) Limited to operate and administer the service. The TRCSL has previously said the service could commence after the installation of the required system and network upgrades by operators.
Herath also said the government plans to improve telecommunications coverage in underserved areas over the next three years through state-supported infrastructure.
He further noted that Sri Lanka introduced 5G technology in 2025. (Newswire)