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Sri Lanka (LK)

Sri Lanka is South Asia's most beloved island destination — a tropical tear-drop off India's southern tip offering ancient Buddhist temples, colonial hill stations, spice gardens, surf beaches, and world-renowned tea.

Capital: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Region: Asia
Language: Sinhala
Currency: LKR (Rs)
Cost of living: Very affordable (index 28)
Emergency: 119
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Emergency Numbers

Save these numbers before you need them.

General Emergency
119
Police
118
Fire Brigade
110
Ambulance
1990
Poison Control
+94 11 2682170 (National Hospital Colombo Toxicology)
Mental Health
Sri Lanka Sumithrayo (suicide prevention): +94 11 2696666. CCCline: 1333 (24/7, free counselling in Sinhala/Tamil/English).
Domestic Violence
Women in Need (WIN): +94 11 2422293 (24/7). National Child Protection Authority: 1929.
Child Protection
National Child Protection Authority (NCPA): 1929 (24/7, free)
Road Assistance
AA Sri Lanka: +94 11 2330098. Most insurance companies provide 24/7 roadside assistance.

Asiri Central Hospital Emergency

+94 11 4666666

For non-emergency medical care outside clinic hours, private hospital A&E departments are the most reliable option for expats. Asiri Central (Colombo 10), Lanka Hospitals (Colombo 5), and Nawaloka (Colombo 2) all have 24/7 emergency departments with English-speaking staff.

24 hours, 7 days a week

How to call emergency services in Sri Lanka

For 119: works from any mobile without credit. State your location (building name, road name, nearest landmark — GPS addresses rarely used), type of emergency, and your phone number. Police response in Colombo: 10–20 minutes. Outside Colombo: 30–60+ minutes. Private ambulance (SUWASARIYA 1990) is often faster for medical emergencies. English is understood by police and emergency operators in Colombo.