Emergency Contacts & Safety Hub
Save these numbers before you need them. Emergency numbers, hospitals, embassy contacts, and step-by-step guidance for every situation.
Emergency Numbers— all free, all 24/7
All numbers are free to call from any Sri Lankan mobile or landline, including roaming SIMs. Tap a card to dial.
What To Do In An Emergency
If you've been robbed or muggedCall 1912 (Tourist Police)
- 1Do NOT resist — hand over valuables. Your safety is worth more than any possession.
- 2Move immediately to a safe, public area (hotel lobby, busy shop, police station).
- 3Call Tourist Police on 1912 — they speak English and handle tourist incidents daily.
- 4File a formal police report at the nearest station. Get a copy with the report number — your travel insurance requires this.
- 5Cancel stolen bank cards immediately via your bank's app or their international line.
- 6Contact your embassy if your passport was stolen. They issue Emergency Travel Documents.
- 7Document everything: time, location, description of perpetrators. Photograph any injuries.
Do not attempt to recover stolen goods yourself. Petty theft is common but violent crime against tourists is rare — cooperate and report.
If you have a medical emergencyCall 1990 (Ambulance) or 110
- 1For life-threatening emergencies: call 1990 (Suwaseriya ambulance — free) or 110.
- 2For non-urgent care in Colombo: head to a private hospital — Lanka Hospitals, Nawaloka, or Durdans for English-speaking doctors and faster service.
- 3Tell the doctor your nationality and show your travel insurance card. Get itemised receipts for all treatment.
- 4Contact your travel insurer immediately — most have 24/7 lines and will coordinate hospital payments directly.
- 5If you need to be seen quickly outside Colombo: go to the nearest government hospital's A&E. Care is free for tourists in government hospitals.
- 6Keep a note of your blood type, allergies, and any medications you take.
Travel insurance is essential in Sri Lanka. Medical evacuation can cost tens of thousands of dollars without it.
If you lose your passportGo to nearest police station, then your embassy
- 1File a police report immediately at the nearest police station. Get a copy — your embassy requires it.
- 2Call or visit your embassy in Colombo (see Embassy Contacts below). They will issue an Emergency Travel Document (ETD).
- 3Apply for a visa extension at the Department of Immigration, Battaramulla while waiting for your replacement document.
- 4You may need: 2 passport photos, the police report, proof of citizenship (driving licence, other ID), and your travel insurance details.
- 5Before you travel next time: store digital scans of your passport, visa, and insurance in cloud storage (Google Drive, email to yourself).
Never leave your passport unattended in a hotel room without a safe. Use the hotel safe whenever available.
If you are arrested or detainedRequest embassy contact immediately — it's your legal right
- 1Remain calm and cooperative. Do not resist or argue aggressively with officers.
- 2State clearly: 'I am a foreign national and I request to contact my embassy.' This is a legal right under the Vienna Convention.
- 3Do not sign any documents without understanding them or without legal representation.
- 4Do not offer money or gifts to officials — bribery is a criminal offence and will worsen your situation significantly.
- 5Contact your embassy as soon as possible — they can provide a list of local lawyers and ensure fair treatment.
- 6If you have a travel companion or hotel contact, inform them of your situation.
Drug offences carry severe penalties in Sri Lanka, including mandatory minimum sentences. Be aware of Sri Lankan laws before you travel.
During a natural disaster (floods / landslides)Call 117 (Disaster Management Centre)
- 1Follow all official evacuation instructions immediately — do not wait to assess.
- 2Move to higher ground immediately if flooding is occurring. Do not attempt to cross flooded roads or rivers.
- 3Call the Disaster Management Centre on 117 for guidance and emergency shelter information.
- 4Monitor the Sri Lanka Meteorological Department (meteo.gov.lk) for official weather warnings.
- 5Contact your embassy to register your location during a major disaster (some embassies run warden networks).
- 6Keep your phone charged. Save emergency contacts offline (not just in an app that needs internet).
Sri Lanka experiences seasonal flooding (May–June, October–November) and landslides in hilly areas. Check weather forecasts before travel to hill country.
Hospitals & Medical Care
Private Hospitals — Colombo (English-speaking, 24/7 A&E)
Find nearest24/7 A&E · English-speaking · ISO-accredited
📍 578 Elvitigala Mawatha, Colombo 05
24/7 A&E · English-speaking · Multi-speciality
📍 23 Deshamanya H K Dharmadasa Mawatha, Colombo 02
24/7 A&E · English-speaking · Central location
📍 3 Alfred Place, Colombo 03
24/7 A&E · English-speaking
📍 114 Norris Canal Road, Colombo 10
Major Government Hospitals — by Region (free for tourists)
Government hospital A&E treatment is free. Carry your passport and travel insurance details.
Embassy & Consulate Contacts
Save your country's 24/7 emergency line before you travel. All embassies are in Colombo.
⚠️Embassy numbers change. Always verify on your government's official travel website before departure, and save your embassy's 24/7 emergency line in your phone before travelling.
Travel insurance is not optional — it's essential
Medical evacuation from Sri Lanka can cost USD $20,000–$100,000 without insurance. Purchase travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, medical evacuation, trip cancellation, and theft before you fly.
More Safety Resources
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Ask SerendAIEmergency numbers and hospital/embassy contacts are provided for informational purposes. Always verify critical information with official sources.