Sri Lanka launches urgent verification drive as nearly one million anonymous SIM cards spark fears of organized crime, robberies, and tighter telecom regulations nationwide.
The government of Sri Lanka has sounded a major national security alarm after disclosing that nearly 900,000 active mobile SIM cards cannot be traced to verified individuals. Officials warn that this regulatory gap has created a dangerous loophole in the telecommunications system, one that criminal networks may be exploiting for illegal activity. The revelation has prompted an accelerated data verification drive and plans for stricter enforcement under updated telecom regulations.
Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne told Parliament that 897,802 SIM cards currently in circulation lack proper identity registration. He explained that the issue surfaced during parliamentary discussions on judicial reform and amendments to laws governing dangerous drugs. According to the Deputy Minister, anonymous SIM usage has become a growing concern in combating organized crime, cybercrime, and drug trafficking, where untraceable mobile connections complicate investigations and intelligence gathering.
Authorities further revealed that an additional 245,811 SIM cards issued under business registrations are suspected of misuse. Some of these connections are allegedly linked to large scale robberies and other unlawful operations. Law enforcement agencies stress that verified subscriber data is essential for criminal investigations, digital forensics, and surveillance operations. Without accurate records, investigators face significant blind spots that weaken crime prevention strategies.
In response, the government is introducing a strengthened SIM Card Regulation framework to close regulatory weaknesses first identified under the 2019 rules. The updated system seeks to ensure all mobile numbers are fully registered, authenticated, and traceable within a centralized telecommunications database. Officials emphasize that the reform targets illegal and anonymous communications rather than ordinary citizens, noting that most users already comply with SIM registration requirements.
Authorities have issued a clear warning that unverified SIM cards will face deactivation if subscriber information is not submitted within the specified timeframe. The move has sparked political debate, with critics questioning privacy implications, while the government maintains that enhanced data collection is critical for national security and public safety. Officials insist that accurate subscriber identification remains the most effective tool in shutting down anonymous criminal communication channels across Sri Lanka.
