
IMEI devices must be registered with TRCSL from today
- CNL Reporter
- January 28, 2025
- Information technology
- IMEI devices must be registered with TRCSL from today
- 0 Comments
Any radio frequency (RF) emitting devices, including those requiring International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) registration, will not be permitted to operate unless registered with the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) effective from today (28), TRCSL Director General Air Vice Marshal Bandula Herath said.
He said that electromagnetic energy (EME)-emitting devices such as cell phones, wireless networks, drones, and other sources of radio waves—including radar and various industrial and medical applications—must be registered to operate legally.
To comply with this directive, users must obtain proper permission by providing the relevant model number. The commission aims to ensure the provision of high-quality, certified electronic devices under this new system.
The Director General said that the decision was made due to numerous issues arising from the purchase of illegally imported electronic devices. This initiative is designed to curb illegal imports, enhance security, and streamline mobile device tracking in Sri Lanka.
Registering the IMEI with TRCSL ensures compliance with Sri Lanka’s telecommunications regulations and enables authorities to block unauthorised or stolen devices from accessing local networks.
He also highlighted that a significant number of electronic devices available in the market are not registered with the commission. The illegal importation of such devices has resulted in substantial tax revenue losses for the government.
The primary responsibility of the TRCSL is to take legal action against illegal traders and prevent the importation and sale of unregistered electronic devices to consumers. To achieve this, TRCSL will implement an automated system to identify registered devices by the end of this month.
The Director General further said that non-registered IMEI-enabled RF-emitting devices will not function on telecommunication operators’ networks after today.
However, foreigners arriving in Sri Lanka will not be affected by the new system concerning the electronic devices they bring with them.
If an individual imports or brings any new IMEI-enabled RF-emitting devices into the country, these devices must be registered through the TRCSL’s online system.
This requirement will not apply to IMEI-enabled RF-emitting devices already connected to telecommunication operators’ networks before today.
An IMEI is a unique 15-digit number assigned to every phone, typically found inside the device when the battery is removed. It can also be displayed on the phone screen by entering *#06# on the mobile phone keypad.
The IMEI number uniquely identifies the marketing name and manufacturer of the device.
To verify a mobile phone’s IMEI number, users can send an SMS to 1909 in the following format:
IMEI [space] 15-digit IMEI number.