Helplines in Sri Lanka

If someone is in danger, call the police emergency number 119, or Suwa Seriya on 1990 for a free ambulance. For crisis support at any hour, CCCline answers on 1333, toll-free and confidential from any mobile or landline. The National Institute of Mental Health also runs a national mental health helpline on 1926.

CCCline 1333 works in Sinhala, Tamil and English, so you can speak in English there. The same is true of 1929 Childline. For the other services, the official pages did not state which languages are offered. Sri Lanka Sumithrayo is a volunteer befriending service on 0707 308 308, or +94 707 308 308 from a foreign phone. Its Colombo 07 branch is open daily from 9am to 8pm. The Shanthi Maargam hotline, free on 071 763 9898, runs from 8am to 10pm.

Women can call the government Women Helpline on 1938. To complain about abuse against women or children, Sri Lanka Police can be reached on 109. If you are worried about a child, 1929 Childline takes calls from children and adults at any hour, free from any network. Shanthi Maargam is a youth mental health organisation, which some young people may find easier to talk to.

Short numbers such as 1333, 1926 and 1929 are dialled as they are from a local phone. If you are on a foreign SIM, use the +94 number where one is listed. Every number here was checked at its official source, and the date of that check is shown.