The Hon. Eranga Weeraratne - Deputy Minister of Digital Economy

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, regarding the SIM card re-registration regulations raised by the Opposition: we are addressing deficiencies in the 2019 framework to ensure proper implementation. Today, there are 897,802 SIMs issued to individuals whose identities are not properly recorded in systems, and 245,811 SIMs under corporate accounts with insufficient identity data. Such gaps facilitate major frauds and crimes. Police need accurate subscriber data as critical evidence. Many crimes are committed using unverified SIMs. Re-registration is essential, and telecom operators must maintain accurate records. We aim to complete this in about two months; those lacking proper data must provide it to their operator. Thereafter, law enforcement can reliably obtain necessary information. If not, such SIMs will be deactivated. Without fixing this, we cannot curb the current crime wave. This is a necessary, proper measure; legitimate users who registered correctly need not worry—only improperly registered SIMs must be updated.

¶ 02 Thank you.