Sri Lanka is a safe destination for travelers, but it's always worth saving a few key numbers to your phone before you arrive. Whether it's a medical issue, a lost passport, or a traffic incident during a self-drive trip, knowing who to call — and knowing it's free — makes a real difference in the moment.
Core Emergency Numbers
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Police Emergency | 119 |
| Police Emergency (mobile) | 112 |
| Fire and Rescue Service | 110 |
| Ambulance — Suwa Seriya (free, government-run) | 1990 |
| Tourist Police / Tourism Hotline | 1912 |
1990 (Suwa Seriya) is Sri Lanka's national free ambulance service and is generally the fastest, most reliable option for a medical emergency anywhere on the island. 1912 connects to tourism support and can help with anything from travel information to guidance during an incident.
Specialized Helplines
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| National Mental Health Helpline | 1926 |
| Women and Child Protection | 1938 |
| Child Help Line | 1929 |
| Disaster Management Call Centre | 117 |
| Government Information Centre | 1919 |
Tourist Police
Sri Lanka maintains dedicated Tourist Police units in major destinations, easily recognized by their blue uniforms and tourist police badge. They specifically handle concerns relevant to visitors — theft, harassment, scams, and lost property — and are generally more accustomed to assisting foreign travelers than a standard local police station.
If You're Involved in a Car Accident
If you're self-driving and involved in a traffic incident, call the police immediately to file a report, and inform your rental company as soon as possible. A police report is typically required for any insurance claim, so don't skip this step even for a minor incident.
Embassy and Consular Support
For serious issues like a lost passport or a legal matter, your country's embassy or consulate in Sri Lanka is your primary point of contact. It's worth saving your embassy's number before you travel, since consular support isn't something local emergency services can provide.
A Few Practical Tips
- Save these numbers to your phone before you land — don't rely on searching for them mid-emergency
- Keep photocopies (or photos) of your passport, visa approval, and travel insurance details in a separate location from the originals
- 24-hour pharmacies are available in Colombo, Kandy, and other major cities if you need non-emergency medical supplies
- If you don't speak Sinhala or Tamil, tourist-facing services like 1912 and the Tourist Police are generally your easiest first call
Before You Travel
Beyond emergency numbers, it's worth sorting out your entry requirements ahead of time — see our guides on Sri Lanka's visa costs and whether tourists can drive in Sri Lanka if a self-drive trip is part of your plans.
Planning a self-drive trip around Sri Lanka?
Book Your Self-Drive Rental with iWay →Final Thoughts
Sri Lanka's emergency services are free, nationwide, and generally responsive — the key is having the right number ready before you need it. Save this list to your phone before you travel, and you'll have one less thing to worry about while you explore.
