The number of mobile phones used by 20.8 million Sri Lankans hit over 20.3 million for the fist time at the end of December 31, 2012, Central Bank data showed.

As of December 31, 2011, the number of mobile phones used remained at 18.3 million. At the end of December 2012, Sri Lanka’s telephone density including both mobile and fixed lines was 116 percent.

In contrast, the number of fixed line telephones in the fourth quarter of 2012 declined 4.4 percent Year-on-Year to 3.44 million. The number of internet and e-mail subscribers during the same quarter grew 61.7 percent YoY to 1.36 million.