2026-02-19 / Debate (Continued): Judicature (Amendment) Bill and Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill - Committee and Third Reading 2026-02-19
Deputy Minister Weeraratne outlined the rationale for a new SIM card re-registration regulation, citing significant gaps in existing subscriber identity records from the 2019 regulation. He noted that 897,802 individual SIMs and 245,811 corporate SIMs currently lack properly verified identity linkage in operators' systems, and that these unverified SIMs are being exploited for fraud and criminal activity. The regulation requires holders of such SIMs to provide their details to operators within approximately two months, after which non-compliant SIMs will be deactivated. He emphasised that law-abiding subscribers with correctly registered SIMs would be unaffected, and that the measure is necessary to provide police with accurate data and address SIM-enabled crime.
Hon. Deputy Chairperson, regarding the SIM card re-registration regulation: this addresses gaps from the 2019 regulation to ensure proper SIM registration. Today, 897,802 SIMs issued to individuals lack properly verified identity records in operators’ systems. For corporate accounts, 245,811 SIMs similarly lack identity linkage. Such SIMs are being used in major frauds and crimes, and police need accurate data as evidence.
Therefore, re-registration is essential. Operators must hold accurate subscriber data. Over about two months, holders of SIMs lacking proper data must provide their details to the operator. Thereafter, police will be able to obtain accurate information when required. If subscribers do not comply, such SIMs will have to be deactivated. Without this, we cannot curb the crime wave fuelled by unverified SIMs. Law-abiding users who already registered correctly need not worry; this targets only those SIMs without proper records.
Thank you.