Two million SIM cards in use without proper identities: Minister

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera

Parliament, Junly 09 (Daily Mirror)- State Minister of Technology Kanaka Herath revealed that some two million SIM cards without proper identifications were in use in the country which had posed serious issues in tracing certain incidents of crimes.

He told Parliament that identity cards were not required when obtaining SIM cards before 2018, before a new law was imposed making it mandatory to produce the identity card to obtain a SIM card.

The Minister said some two million SIM cards which were obtained before 2018 without proper identifications are in use right now and said this has caused serious issues in tracing certain incidents of crimes.   

While speaking at the debate on the Sri Lanka Telecommunications (Amendment) Bill, the Minister said the Bill has introduced laws to take action against those who produce false information when obtaining SIM cards.