The Cabinet of Ministers of Sri Lanka has approved amendments to regulations governing the registration of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards, including provisions to re-register subscriber details for SIMs issued before August 2, 2019.
The existing Subscriber SIM Card Registration Regulations No. 01 of 2019—introduced under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act No. 25 of 1991—apply only to SIM cards issued after that date. As a result, telecommunications service providers currently lack complete subscriber information for some older SIM cards.
Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said this gap has created challenges for legal proceedings and criminal investigations.
“Several difficulties have been identified during judicial proceedings as well as criminal investigations,” he noted, adding that the regulatory framework needs to be updated to meet current requirements.
The proposed amendments also introduce new provisions for registering subscribers aged 16 to 17, as well as guidelines for issuing SIM cards to foreign nationals visiting Sri Lanka.
Accordingly, a proposal submitted by the President in his capacity as Minister of Digital Economy—to introduce new regulations for the re-registration of pre–August 2, 2019 SIM cards and to amend existing rules where necessary—has received Cabinet approval.
