SriLanka, Sept. 11 -- The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) is preparing to introduce stricter regulations for the issuance and use of mobile SIM cards amid a rise in criminal activities involving illegally obtained and untraceable connections.

Speaking at a media briefing at the Department of Government Information, TRCSL Director General Air Vice Marshal Bandula Herath (Retd.) said new SIM cards are expected to require live photograph verification from later this year.

He said the move follows requests from law enforcement authorities, including the Sri Lanka Police, which have reported an increase in illegal activities carried out using SIM cards that cannot be properly traced. Under the new system, anyone...