Mobile subscribers in Sri Lanka are set to experience significant changes in how SIM cards are issued, registered, and managed. The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) is preparing to roll out a updated regulatory framework aimed at enhancing consumer security and curbing mobile-related fraudulent activities across the island.
Key Highlights
- New, stricter identity verification procedures introduced for all new SIM card registrations.
- Implementation of caps on the total number of active SIM cards permitted per National Identity Card (NIC).
- Mandatory re-verification process expected for users holding multiple inactive or unverified mobile connections.
Under the upcoming regulations, mobile network operators will be required to enforce tighter authentication measures during the point-of-sale process. The initiative aims to eliminate the circulation of pre-activated and unregistered SIM cards, which have increasingly been linked to financial scams and cybercrime.
Telecommunications authorities have indicated that existing users with several SIM cards registered under their name may be notified to confirm ownership or surrender dormant lines. Sri Lanka’s major telecom providers are currently updating their systems to align with the new compliance standards, with full implementation guidelines expected to be published shortly.