Sri Lanka to re-register ALL SIMs issued before 2019

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka is set to implement a sweeping update to its mobile SIM card registration framework, closing a long-standing loophole affecting millions of subscribers who obtained SIM cards before August 2, 2019.

The move comes after authorities acknowledged that subscriber information for SIMs purchased prior to that date is incomplete or missing, a gap that has repeatedly hampered law-enforcement investigations.

The Cabinet of Ministers has now approved a proposal by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Digital Economy, to introduce new regulations that will mandate the re-registration of all SIM cards obtained before 02-08-2019.

The proposal will also amend the existing regulatory framework governing SIM registration in the country.

Under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act No. 25 of 1991, a new set of rules, Registration of Subscriber SIM Cards Regulations No. 01 of 2019, came into effect on August 2, 2019.
However, these regulations only applied to SIM cards issued after that date.

As a result, subscriber information for many pre-2019 SIM cards remains unverified or unavailable, creating serious obstacles for police and investigative agencies.

Authorities say this information gap has contributed to “problematic situations” in ongoing and past criminal investigations.

The Cabinet-approved amendments address several long-standing issues, including:

Registration provisions for subscribers aged 16–17, who previously fell into an unclear regulatory category.

Clear registration requirements for foreigners visiting Sri Lanka.