New laws mooted for issuing mobiles

COLOMBO: The Government is contemplating drafting new laws for the adoption of new procedures for the issue of mobile telephones and SIM cards.

The Prime Minister's office said this move was prompted by the frequent use of mobile phones for acts of terrorism and crime.

This was announced by Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka at a discussion with intelligence and Department of Registration of Persons Department officials.

Prime Minister Wickramanayake lamented that mobile phones were being used for various criminal activities taking advantage of the liberal telecom policies. Only the identity card has to be produced to get a mobile telephone connection. However, according to current laws, only a paltry fine is charged for misusing telephones.

He also instructed officials not to extend the deadline for tender for the designing and issuing a new National ID card. However, no single company should be given the entire process of designing the card and several companies should be given various parts of the assignment, he said.'