Emergency help

Numbers that work, what to do when something goes wrong, and the help nearest to you. Keep this page handy.

1990Ambulance (Suwa Seriya) 119Police emergency 110Fire and rescue 1912Tourism hotline / Tourist Police

Emergency numbers

Tap a number to call. All of them work from any phone in Sri Lanka, and the first four are free.

Medical emergency

Call 1990 for a free ambulance; say the town and a landmark.
If you can travel, go to the nearest hospital shown below; government hospitals treat emergencies free of charge, private hospitals ask for a card or deposit.
Keep your passport and travel insurance details with you.
Tell your host; they know the quickest road and the nearest doctor.
Contact your embassy for a serious injury or a hospital stay.

Theft or crime

If you are in danger, call 119.
Go to the nearest police station (see below) and ask for a written report; you need it for insurance and for a passport replacement.
Block your cards with your bank at once.
For harassment or overcharging, call the tourism hotline 1912.
Tell your host and, if your passport is gone, your embassy.

Flood, landslide, cyclone or tsunami

Follow instructions from your host and local officials; information on 117 (Disaster Management Centre).
Tsunami signs: a strong earthquake or the sea pulling back. Move to high ground immediately and stay there until the all-clear.
In heavy rain, avoid rivers, slopes and flooded roads, even in a vehicle.
Official sources: dmc.gov.lk and meteo.gov.lk.
Let your family and your embassy know you are safe.

Lost or stolen passport

Get a police report at the nearest police station.
Contact your embassy or high commission (list below) for an emergency travel document; take passport photos and a copy of your passport if you have one.
Inform the Immigration and Emigration Department (+94 11 532 9200) before you travel out.
Keep a photo of your passport and visa in your phone and email from now on.

Lost cards, phone or money

Block cards immediately through your bank's app or hotline.
Money transfer offices (Western Union, MoneyGram) are in every town; embassies can sometimes help with an emergency loan.
For a lost phone, change your email and banking passwords from another device.
Ask your host for help with a local SIM and cash points.

Something missing or out of date? Email [email protected] and we fix it.

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