Former Ministry Secretary and former Chairman of the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC), Anusha Palpita, has been taken into custody by the Bribery Commission.

He was arrested in connection with his failure to disclose how he had earned Rs. 46 million.

Palpita appeared before the Bribery Commission today (23 Jan), and after recording his initial statement, the Commission announced that he was placed under arrest.

He is scheduled to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate. (Newswire)

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The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) has introduced a 24-hour hotline in support of the government’s new initiative to eradicate the threat of narcotics, titled “United as a Nation – National Drive” (“රටම එකට – ජාතික මෙහෙයුම”). 

According to the President’s Office, the TRCSL has introduced the hotline’1818’ for this purpose, based on a request from the “United as a Nation” National Operations Committee.

The hotline enables the public to report accurate information related to drug trafficking, distribution, or any suspicious drug-related activities. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka’s first Telecommunications Infrastructure Services License was awarded on Tuesday (02 Sept) to EDOTCO Services Lanka (Private) Limited, a subsidiary of EDOTCO Group, Asia’s leading integrated telecommunications infrastructure provider.

The license, issued by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL), introduces a new regulatory framework under Section 17B of the Sri Lanka Telecommunications (Amendment) Act, formally recognizing the role of independent mid-tier companies in strengthening the nation’s digital ecosystem. 

According to the Ministry of Digital Economy, this marks a historic shift in the telecommunications sector, enabling greater infrastructure sharing and collaboration to accelerate connectivity across the island.

The government highlighted its commitment to working with independent infrastructure providers to expand coverage, enhance efficiency, and ensure that every citizen, including those in rural and underserved areas, can benefit from digital services and solutions.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Eranga Weeraratne, stressed that expanding connectivity is fundamental to enabling citizens to access government services and integrate digital technology into their daily lives.

The event was attended by Waruna Sri Dhanapala, Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy; Hans Wijesuriya, Senior Presidential Advisor on Digital Economy; Bandula Herath, Director General of TRCSL; Gayan Koralage, Managing Director of EDOTCO Sri Lanka; along with ministry officials and industry representatives. (Newswire)

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Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne says the government has decided to construct 100 communication towers to cover areas with weak telecommunication connections in Sri Lanka. 

According to Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne, the communication towers are to be constructed to address issues of weak signal in rural areas.

He further said that 75% of the expense for the construction of one communication tower is to be borne by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL). (Newswire)

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The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court has ordered the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) to block access to all websites and social media accounts that publish or distribute illegally obtained data of Cargills Bank PLC.

The directive follows a petition filed by Cargills Bank on April 4 under Section 24 of the Online Safety Act No. 9 of 2024. The case (No. 43022/1/25) names all Internet Service Providers in Sri Lanka and the TRCSL as respondents.

Appearing for the petitioner bank were attorneys Geeth Karunarathna, Manujaya De Silva, and Nisal Dulmith. The court has fixed the matter for notice returnable on April 21.

The order comes in the wake of a reported data breach said to contain sensitive customer information including national identity details. Several journalists and digital rights activists have raised concerns over the breach and the response to it.

In a statement issued in March, Cargills Bank said that upon detection, it acted promptly to reinforce its security protocols, isolate the affected system, and engage leading cybersecurity experts for a comprehensive assessment. The bank said this proactive approach aimed to mitigate potential risks, ensure system integrity, and safeguard both customer and institutional interests.

Cargills Bank also assured that its banking operations remain unaffected, with no disruption to services. The bank reiterated its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of cybersecurity and operational resilience to uphold customer trust. (Newswire)

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The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) has addressed concerns regarding the impact of its new mobile device regulations on phones purchased overseas, received as gifts, or bought via courier services.  

TRCSL Director General (Retd) Air Vice Marshal Bandula Herath said devices already in use in Sri Lanka have been registered in the TRCSL database based on the SIM card in use. He confirmed that users of such devices do not need to register them again.  

He added that, in the future, users will be able to register their devices through an online system.  

Regarding concerns about the tourism industry, Herath assured that foreign tourists would not be affected by the new regulations. Instead, he said the system would enhance services for international visitors.  

The clarification follows TRCSL’s announcement of new software aimed at detecting and blocking unapproved mobile phones. The commission urged the public to avoid purchasing non-approved devices and advised buying only TRCSL-registered IMEI-enabled phones.  

TRCSL warned that non-registered IMEI-enabled devices will not function on local networks in the future. However, the restriction does not apply to devices connected to telecom networks before Jan. 28, 2025. (Newswire)

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The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) has announced it is set to introduce new software to detect and block the use of unapproved mobile phones. 

The TRCSL has urged the public to avoid purchasing mobile devices which are not approved by the commission.

The public has been advised to purchase only TRCSL-registered IMEI-enabled devices.

Issuing a notice, the TRCSL said non-registered IMEI-enabled devices will not be active in the telecommunication operator’s network in the future.

However, this does not apply to IMEI-enabled devices connected to the telecommunication operator’s networks before 28 January 2025. (Newswire)

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Sri Lankan authorities have issued a licence for Starlink Lanka (Private) Limited to operate in the country. 

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) has officially issued a Telecommunications Service Provider Licence to Starlink Lanka (Private) Limited under Section 17B of the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act No. 25 of 1991, as amended.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the development follows a recent meeting between President Ranil Wickremesinghe and world-renowned businessman Elon Musk in Indonesia. 

During the meeting, they discussed expediting the application process to connect Sri Lanka to Musk’s Starlink network, aiming to enhance the nation’s access to high-speed internet via advanced satellite technology.

The PMD said as a result, Starlink has been approved to provide internet facility services in Sri Lanka through satellite technology. This licence enables Starlink Lanka to offer Satellite Broadband Services across the country. 

The licence will come into effect on August 12, 2024, marking a significant step forward in expanding Sri Lanka’s access to high-speed internet through advanced satellite technology. (Newswire)

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The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) has granted preliminary approval for Elon Musk’s Starlink, to provide internet services in the country, State Minister for Technology Kanaka Herath said.

Speaking to Newswire, the State Minister said approval will be granted following public consultations.

“We have given a period of 14 days for public consultation. After that we will look into the issues and give the approval,” Herath said.

Starlink, developed by Musk’s company SpaceX since 2015, is a vast satellite system designed to deliver high-speed Internet to even the most remote areas of earth.

The Starlink Internet service gained attention in Sri Lanka after President Ranil Wickremesinghe met with Musk on the sidelines of the 10th World Water Forum high-level meeting in Bali, Indonesia late last month.

Following their meeting on May 19, Wickremesinghe committed to expediting the application process to connect Sri Lanka to the Starlink network. (Newswire)

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The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) has called for the correct registration of mobile phone SIM cards, urging the public to verify their SIM registrations

TRCSL’s Deputy Director / Compliance (Consumer Complaints & Consumer/ Public Awareness) Menaka Pathirana has urged every individual who uses mobile phones to properly register their SIM card.

Addressing the media on Monday (Feb 13), Pathirana urged the public to ensure that their mobile phone SIM cards are registered properly, to avoid exploitation for illegal activities.

The public can verify their SIM registrations on their mobile phones by typing #132#, she said. 

Pathirana advised the public to also contact other phone companies to check if a SIM card is registered in their name, especially SIMs that are currently not being used by the person and had been provided by their various employment.

The public has further been urged to immediately disconnect SIM cards that have been issued under their name without their knowledge.

Pathirana added that it was very important to disconnect SIMs if they have been issued under an individual’s National Identity Card number, without their knowledge. 

Reports of several illegal activities using SIMs registered under other people’s names have been reported in the recent past. 

The TRCSL has warned that the public may face issues if SIMs registered under their names are exploited for such illegal activities. (NewsWire)

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The mobile number portability facility, which was expected to be introduced in Sri Lanka last year, will be further delayed, it was reported.

According to The Sunday Morning, the delay was due to the consortium named ‘Lanka Portability’, formed by the mobile companies in the country, being unable to finalise a suitable technical partner to implement the facility.

Despite a tender having been called by the consortium last year and several proposals being received, the consortium had decided to call for new tenders due to several technical issues and the lack of confidence in the companies that had submitted their proposals.

When inquired in this regard, State Minister of Technology Kanaka Herath said that he has been informed of the issue by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL).

The TRCSL has informed that the consortium was not happy with the qualifications of those that had responded to the tender called by it seeking a technical partnership.

Acknowledging the delay, State Minister Kanaka Herath assured that the facility would be introduced within this year.

The TRCSL laid the framework for implementing number portability and full portability, which includes fixed services, in Sri Lanka last year. 

The company named ‘Lanka Portability’ was, thereafter, formed to include all telecommunication companies and TRCSL approval for mobile number portability was granted in October 2021.

Recently, the TRCSL announced legal clearance for telecommunication service providers to implement number portability in Sri Lanka. (NewsWire)

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