Mobile Number Portability Set to Launch in June

The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Digital Economic Affairs decided to hold a workshop on the 10th of March 2025 to brief all Members of Parliament about the upcoming programme related to the government's digital economic activities.

This decision was made during a meeting held in Parliament, chaired by the Minister of Digital Economy, Hon. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne also attended the meeting.

Addressing the meeting, the Hon. President emphasized the importance of accelerating the development of Sri Lanka’s digital economy, which is a key government priority and a nationwide transformation.

Officials from the Ministry of Digital Economy provided details on the future sectors of digital economic activities. They also informed the Committee that ICTA, the leading body in state digitalization, will be brought under the Digital Economy Authority, with arrangements being made to enhance service delivery.

Furthermore, as various state institutions have developed separate systems for collecting information and data, the members emphasized the need for these systems to be integrated and managed through a single institution in the future. In response, the Hon. President stated that such systems should be developed under state supervision. He also noted that instructions have been issued to ministry secretaries to refrain from creating new systems at this time. The Hon. President further highlighted the importance of tailoring these systems to meet the specific needs of each institution.

The MPs also brought to the attention of the officials the issues related to weak telephone signal coverage in certain areas of the island. In response, Ministry officials informed the Committee that plans are underway to construct 50 new signal towers in areas identified under the Village Communication Program. This initiative aims to reduce telephone signal disruptions to some extent.

The Committee also discussed the possibility of mobile phone users to regain the same mobile phone number they used when changing their mobile phone network operator, and in response, the officials said that this facility will be implemented from next June.

During this discussion, views were expressed on the use of crypto currency and the President said that the final decision on whether to allow its use in Sri Lanka or not will be implemented based on the recommendations of the Governor of the Central Bank.

The discussion also covered measures being implemented to protect the personal data of citizens, strategies for handling emerging technologies, including AI, and the salaries of IT engineers.

The meeting was attended by Hon. Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne, Ministers, Deputy Ministers,  Committee Members, Hon. Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa and  Members of Parliament, Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy and Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy Dr. Hans Wijeyasuriya, Secretary General of Parliament Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, Director Legislative Services and Director Communications (Acting) Mr. M. Jayalath Perera, and a group of officials representing the Ministry of Digital Economy.