The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to introduce new regulations to re-register subscriber information of mobile phone SIM cards issued prior to 02 August 2019.
As per provisions of the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act No. 25 of 1991, the regulations for the registration of SIM cards bearing 2019 No. 01 was introduced on 02.08.2019 while those regulations are only applicable to SIM cards issued after that date.
Therefore, as telecommunications service providers do not possess information regarding certain subscribers who have registered before 02.08.2019, this has created a problematic situation during certain legal investigations, the Cabinet Spokesman said.
In addition to this, he said a need has been identified to register subscribers between the ages 16-17 and to include new regulations with regard to issuing SIM cards to foreign nationals, and thereby amend the existing regulations to suit the present necessities.
Accordingly, the proposal presented by the President in his capacity as the Digital Economy Minister to introduce new regulations with provisions to re-register the subscriber information related to SIM cards obtained before 02.08.2019 and to amend exiting regulations pertaining to the registrations of SIM cards, has received Cabinet approval.
