Sri Lanka instructs cellcos to register SIMs

Aug 28, 2017Updated May 30, 20251 min read

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) has instructed the nation’s operators to register their customers SIMs in order to curb fraud and crime.

The operators have been told to register SIMs with owners’ personal details and photocopies of their National Identity Cards, the Daily Mirror reported.

President Maithripala Sirisena had proposed the SIM registration scheme after it was observed that a large number of active SIMs have been issued without proper documentation on the identity of the customers.

Sri Lanka will be following other APAC nations in implementing a mandatory SIM registration scheme, such as Thailand, Bangladesh and Cambodia.

Sri Lanka’s mobile market is dominated by the big three operators Dialog Axiata, Mobitel and Etisalat. Mobitel is in the process of being separated from parent company Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) and listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange. The government currently owns a 49.5% stake in SLT.

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Mei Ling Tan

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Mei Ling Tan is the Editor of Retail News Asia, where she leads the editorial team in delivering in-depth coverage of Asia’s dynamic retail landscape. With over a decade of experience in business journalism, Mei Ling is known for her sharp analysis, deep industry insights, and commitment to uncovering the stories behind Asia’s most innovative retail brands. Before joining Retail News Asia, Mei Ling held senior reporting roles at regional business publications, covering everything from consumer trends to digital transformation in retail. A graduate of the National University of Singapore with a degree in Communications and New Media, she combines journalistic integrity with a strong understanding of evolving market forces. Outside the newsroom, Mei Ling is a frequent speaker at industry panels and a mentor for young journalists.

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