Sri Lanka is set to issue a regulatory directive to implement Mobile Number Portability (MNP) if telecommunications companies cannot reach an agreement by the end of September, according to Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Eranga Weeraratne.
Weeraratne emphasized that should the telecom sector fail to achieve consensus by the deadline, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission will act by issuing a directive.
The rollout of number portability—enabling consumers to switch providers while keeping their existing phone numbers—has encountered challenges due to disagreements regarding the simultaneous launch of both mobile and fixed number portability.
Lanka Number Portability Services Limited, a collaborative entity formed by all fixed and mobile telecom operators, was granted a license in September 2024 to manage the operational deployment of these services. However, one fixed-line operator has requested a reassessment of the collective strategy, pointing to substantial costs, intricate system changes, and unclear financial benefits associated with fixed lines.
This operator argued that fixed connections are predominantly utilized for fiber internet access, where the necessity of retaining the same telephone number is not as significant as it is in mobile services.
Weeraratne highlighted the importance of retaining phone numbers for citizens engaged in contemporary digital services. He remarked, “Being tied to a single operator restricts consumers’ choices, affecting much more than just their phone bills.”
Insights from international markets, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and Kenya, indicate a prevalent mobile-first and phased strategy for implementing number portability, with fixed number portability often being limited or nonexistent.
Telecom operators have already made initial investments to prepare their networks for MNP; however, the ongoing dispute has left agreements and purchase orders for technical solutions in limbo. (Colombo/August 07/2026)
