Emergency Numbers in Sri Lanka: Who to Call and When

Save these numbers in your phone before something goes wrong. Knowing what to call and when is the difference between a fast response and standing on the road trying to figure out who to dial.

The key numbers

• 1990 — Suwa Seriya National Ambulance. Free. Available across most of Sri Lanka. This is your first call for any medical emergency: chest pain, severe bleeding, breathing difficulty, suspected stroke, suspected heart attack, severe head injury, road accident with injuries, drowning, loss of consciousness, suspected snake bite. They will arrive with paramedics and equipment and transport to the nearest appropriate hospital.

• 119 — Police. For any crime, accident requiring police, or security concern.

• 110 — Fire and Rescue. Fires, structural collapse, trapped persons.

• +94 11 242 1052 — Tourist Police (Colombo HQ). For tourists who need police support, including translation help, lost passports, robberies, harassment.

• The Dispensary Arugambay — +94 77 757 6126. Open 24 hours, walk in or call. For non-life-threatening medical issues, this is usually your fastest option in Arugam Bay.

When to call 1990 vs us

Call 1990 first if:

• The person is unconscious or having trouble breathing
• There’s severe bleeding that won’t stop with pressure
• There’s chest pain or signs of a heart attack (chest pressure, sweating, arm or jaw pain)
• There’s a suspected stroke (sudden weakness on one side, slurred speech, confusion)
• There’s been a serious road accident with possible spinal injury
• There’s a suspected snake bite or severe allergic reaction
• The person is in a state of altered consciousness, severely confused, or having seizures

After calling 1990, call us — we can give you first aid guidance over the phone, and depending on the situation we can coordinate with the hospital you’ll be taken to.

Call us first if:

• You have a fever or feel unwell but can walk
• You have a wound that may need stitches but isn’t bleeding heavily
• You have a possible animal bite or scratch
• You have a sea injury (reef cut, jellyfish sting, sea urchin spine)
• You need an IV drip for dehydration
• You need to refill a prescription
• You’re not sure what to do and want to talk to someone

We see everything from a stubbed toe to a stabilised stroke patient awaiting ambulance transfer. Don’t second-guess whether something is “worth bothering a doctor for” — that’s exactly what we’re here for.

What to say when you call

• Where you are (the closest landmark — Main Point, Whiskey Point, your guesthouse name)
• What happened
• Number of people affected
• Whether the person is conscious and breathing
• Any obvious injuries or symptoms
• Your phone number so they can call back if disconnected

What if you can’t reach 1990?

Mobile coverage in Arugam Bay is good but not perfect. If 1990 isn’t reachable:

• Call us directly: +94 77 757 6126
• If you can’t reach us either, ask anyone nearby to help — locals know where the clinic is
• The next nearest hospital is Pottuvil Base Hospital, about ten minutes’ drive. For serious cases requiring intensive care, the larger options are Ampara Hospital (about ninety minutes) or transfer to Colombo.

A practical preparation checklist

Before you start exploring Arugam Bay or Sri Lanka more widely:

• Save 1990, 119, 110, and our number in your phone
• Note your accommodation’s exact address and a nearby landmark
• Note your travel insurance emergency contact number
• Keep a copy of your passport details and emergency contact in a separate place from your phone (a note in your wallet, a screenshot, or a paper copy)
• If you have any chronic health conditions or allergies, carry a written summary of them in English

This article is general guidance and not a substitute for emergency services. In any emergency, call 1990.