Sri Lanka Police says complaints relating to the loss, misplacement, and theft of mobile phones are being received daily at stations across the island, warning of serious risks if devices fall into the hands of unauthorized individuals.

In a public awareness statement, the Police noted that lost or stolen phones are frequently used for anti‑social, unlawful, and illicit activities, leaving legitimate owners vulnerable.

“Based on complaints received to date, it is evident that criminals are able to exploit mobile phones containing sensitive data, including financial details, personal information, photographs, and other confidential material to achieve their unlawful objectives,” the Police said.

The Police urged the public to remain vigilant and take immediate precautionary measures to prevent misuse. Reported cases show phones being exploited for fraud, harassment, and other criminal acts.

The Police have advised the following important steps to be followed in such instances;

• Immediately deactivate the SIM card. SIM deactivation can be carried out through the respective service provider from whom the SIM card was obtained. This action prevents third parties from using the phone for illegal or anti-social activities. Deactivating the SIM card also facilitates the recovery process if the device is in another person’s possession. 
• Provide the IMEI number when lodging a complaint. When reporting a lost or stolen mobile phone to the Sri Lanka Police, it is essential to include the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. 
• Keep a record of the IMEI number and service details. It is the responsibility of mobile phone users to securely retain their device’s IMEI number and related service information prior to any loss or theft. The IMEI number can be obtained by dialling *#06# on the mobile phone.

Furthermore, the Sri Lanka Police has introduced a software-based system to trace mobile phones. Individuals may register their details by visiting the official website: ineed.police.lk. Upon submission of the relevant information, the Sri Lanka Police will promptly initiate appropriate action. 

In 2024, the Sri Lanka Police successfully recovered 2,796 lost mobile phones and returned them to their rightful owners. Additionally, 928 stolen mobile phones were released to the public following accurate data verification, and legal action was instituted against the offenders. 

In 2025, 2,355 lost mobile phones were recovered, and 1,019 individuals in possession of stolen phones were apprehended, with legal proceedings initiated accordingly. 

Moreover, if a person finds property that does not belong to them, they should immediately hand it over to the nearest police station or a police officer and obtain an acknowledgement receipt or officially lodge a report. 

Retaining property that does not belong to oneself constitutes a criminal offence under the Sri Lankan Penal Code, identified as criminal misappropriation. This offence may result in imprisonment of up to two (02) years. Therefore, unlawfully keeping another person’s property in one’s possession is punishable by law. 

Furthermore, any individual who knowingly purchases stolen mobile phones or other stolen property at a reduced price and retains such items commits an offence and may face imprisonment of up to three (03) years.

When purchasing a new or second-hand mobile phone, members of the public are urged to verify whether the device has been reported to a police station as lost or stolen through the “Find Genuine Phone” feature available in the “I Need” system. 

The Sri Lanka Police advises the public to exercise due diligence regarding the source and authenticity of mobile phones prior to purchase. (Newswire)

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A ban on mobile phones in schools in England is to be introduced by the government to ensure that “critical safeguarding legislation” is passed.

The government will table an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill in the House of Lords after the bill was held up by peers on opposition benches.

It will make existing guidance on mobile phone bans in schools statutory, a move that ministers have resisted until now.

The government had consistently argued that the vast majority of schools had already banned mobile phones, and that there was no need to add a legal requirement. They finally capitulated, however, describing it as “a pragmatic measure” to get the bill through.

Announcing the move on Monday, the education minister Jacqui Smith told the Lords: “We recognise the strength of feeling on this issue, both in this house and beyond.”

“Notwithstanding the fact that we think the guidance we already have in place provides headteachers and schools with a range of approaches to be able to deliver the objective that we all share, we are committing to tabling an amendment in lieu which will place the existing guidance on a statutory footing on the face of the bill, creating a clear legal requirement for schools.”

“We’ve listened to concerns about how we support headteachers in delivering on this policy and we have listened to parliament.”

The bill is regarded by many as the biggest piece of child protection legislation in decades and includes proposals for a compulsory register for children who are not in school, a crackdown on profiteering in children’s social care, and a “single unique identifier” to help agencies track a child’s welfare.

Pepe Di’Iasio, the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “A statutory ban on mobile phones in schools doesn’t really change very much. Most schools already have policies in place under which pupils are not permitted to use mobile phones.

“What would really be helpful is for the government to make funding available to schools for the safe and secure storage of mobile phones, such as storage lockers or locked pouches.”

The education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, has previously written to headteachers in England to stress that schools should be phone-free throughout the entire school day, but the guidance has been non-statutory.

Research from the children’s commissioner for England last year found that 99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools already had policies in place that limited or restricted the use of mobile phones during the school day.

However, many headteachers, dealing with challenges from parents, will welcome the move, which will provide clarity in classrooms.

Ministers have only grudgingly agreed to it. A government spokesperson said: “The repeated attempts by the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats to kill off some of the most far-reaching child protection legislation is utterly abhorrent, and a dismal failure of some of the most vulnerable children in our country. (The Guardian)

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Prison authorities have seized 29 mobile phones during a special operation carried out at the Boossa High-Security Prison today, officials said.

According to the Prison Spokesperson, the devices were recovered from several inmates, including leading underworld figures ‘Dematagoda Chaminda’, ‘Wele Suda’, and ‘Midigama Ruwan.’

In addition to the mobile phones, prison officials also discovered 30 SIM cards and 35 chargers hidden inside cells during the search.

Authorities have launched an internal investigation to determine how the contraband items were smuggled into the high-security facility. 

The raid was conducted as part of ongoing efforts to curb organized crime operations allegedly being coordinated from within prisons. (Newswire)

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An individual has been arrested at the Katunayake with over Rs. 100 million worth of new mobile phones.

Customs officials at the airport arrested the suspect upon his arrival in Sri Lanka today (04 Apr). 

The suspect, who is a 32-year-old resident of Kattankudy in Batticaloa, has been employed at hotels in several Middle Eastern countries. 

However, Customs Officials had identified him as a person smuggling goods into Sri Lanka often. 

The suspect had arrived from Dubai early this morning with three bags containing 528 mobile phones. (Newswire)

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Nearly 540 mobile phones have been confiscated from the Galle Prison so far this year, the first Galle District Development Committee meeting of the new government was informed. 

The information was disclosed at the meeting held at the Galle District Secretariat, chaired by Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Nalin Hewage last week (Dec 12).

Deputy Chief Jailer of the Galle Prison, Dhanushka Pushpakumara highlighted that the location of the prison greatly contributed to the smuggling of mobile phones. 

“There is a road right next to the prison wall, and large parcels could be thrown over the wall. Despite security measures, these items are smuggled in discreetly. Discussions are underway with the Police to get their support to confiscate these items,” he added. 

Also speaking at the meeting, Galle District Deputy Superintendent of Police, Jagath Seram said suggestions have been made to install a net over the wall and a CCTV system. 

“However, it has been difficult because the surrounding area is occupied by government institutions. High-cost jammers need to be installed. We plan to carry out these tasks in 2025,” he added. (Newswire)

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A 16-year-old boy is suspected to have murdered his mother due to an addiction to the mobile phone, the Police said. 

A 38-year-old woman was found dead in a suspicious manner at her residence in the Thellippalai Police Division in Jaffna on Friday (May 03). 

Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa told the media that preliminary investigations have revealed that the woman and son were alone at the house at the estimated time of death. 

The teenager had been disgruntled that his mother had confiscated his mobile phone and had handed over the device to his grandmother, according to Police. 

Police investigations have revealed that the boy had left his house on Saturday morning on a bicycle and is yet to be found, while it is suspected that he may have gone overseas. 

DIG Thalduwa said evidence had also been found of the child’s exposure to the internet, including YouTube and other social media platforms. 

He said it is suspected that the child had committed the murder due to his addiction to gaming or other online platforms. 

The Police Spokesman warned the public of the dangers of allowing their children to use mobile phones without restriction. 

He further said it was the parents’ responsibility to prevent children from getting addicted to mobile phones and monitor their usage activities. (Newswire)

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Video footage has emerged on social media of a wild elephant attempting to eat the mobile phone of a tourist in Sri Lanka. 

As per the video on social media, a foreign tourist on a safari jeep is seen dropping her phone while attempting to take a video of the elephant.

The elephant is then seen attempting to eat the mobile phone but throws it on the ground immediately thereafter, and starts walking away. 

The whereabouts of the incident are unclear, but surroundings suggest it likely occurred in one of the National Parks of Sri Lanka. (NewsWire)

Sri Lankan wild elephant tries to eat foreign tourist’s dropped phone

Viralhog pic.twitter.com/OiBGqLSB6c

— NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) February 26, 2024

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A 24-year-old youth has been murdered following the escalation of an argument over a mobile phone in Colombo.

The youth had been attacked with a sharp weapon and murdered next to a transformer at Gunananda Mawatha in Kotahena last night. 

The victim is reported to have resided along with his parents and sister at Gunananda Mawatha.

The Police said the victim had visited a friend after which the two had arrived near the transformer and had engaged in a dispute with another person over a mobile phone. 

The suspect is said to have stabbed the victim on his back with a knife during the argument.

The Kotahena Police have launched investigations to arrest the suspect who has been identified. (NewsWire)

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Shares in Chinese technology firms have fallen after the country’s online regulator announced plans recommending smartphone use for children be limited to a maximum of two hours a day.

The rules proposed by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) will require device makers, operating systems, apps and app stores to introduce a so-called “minor-mode” capping time spent on screens, increasing the pressure on local tech companies already grappling with tight government controls.

The proposals, which are still subject to public feedback, would limit users aged 16-18 to two hours usage a day, while those under 16 would be limited to one hour. Children under eight would be restricted to just eight minutes.

Under the scheme, devices with minor mode on would be mostly unusable between 10pm and 6am, with only emergency calls and approved apps working. Pop-up messages would remind children to rest once they had used their phones for 30 minutes.

The consultation announcement spooked investors and caused the share prices of large local tech companies, which would probably be responsible for enforcing the rules, to fall. Shares in the big social media company Tencent ended down 3% on Wednesday while video service Bilibili tumbled 7% and Chinese e-commerce group Alibaba dropped 3%.

Video sharing platforms including TikTok owner ByteDance, as well as Bilibili and Kuaishou already offer “teenage modes” that restrict how long users can use their apps, as well as limiting certain content. ByteDance’s Douyin app, which is similar to TikTok, blocks teenagers from logging on for more than 40 minutes a day.

The proposals came two years after the Chinese government imposed restrictions on children’s video game and online game play to just three hours a week, in 2021, in order to curb what the authorities described as “youth video game addiction”.

The move hit revenues for online gaming companies, which had become a hugely profitable business in China as a result of the large number of young gamers across the country.

However, it also motivated Chinese online gaming companies to expand into international markets and co-develop content with foreign companies. Analysts at Goldman Sachs said in May that there was still “substantial overseas potential” for video game firms even amid the restrictions.

“These moves have helped China-domiciled mobile game makers raise their aggregate market share in the overseas mobile games market from less than 10% in 2017 to 22% by the end of 2022,” Goldman Sachs said. “GS Research forecasts that share could rise to as high as 30% by 2025.”

The public consultation over the new child smartphone restrictions will close on 2 September. (The Guardian)

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