Services for Refugees and Asylum-Seekers
Education
Refugee and asylum-seeker children do not have access to public education in Sri Lanka. Unfortunately, UNHCR in Sri Lanka is unable to provide any alternative educational support.
Health
Refugees and asylum-seekers have access to public health services in Sri Lanka. Please visit the Sri Lanka Ministry of Health website to obtain more information about the health services which are available.
Not all health services in Sri Lanka are available for free. While the government health services are free of charge, there are related expenses you might need to cover, such as medicines and medical tests – which are not provided by government hospitals.
Any expenses not covered by the government health services must be paid by the patient. Unfortunately, UNHCR in Sri Lanka is unable to provide or pay for any health-related assistance.
Below is a list of the most common hospitals that many refugees and asylum-seekers in Sri Lanka approach when they have a health issue:
- Negombo General Hospital
- Panadura General Hospital
- Panadura Kethumathi Maternity Hospital
- Colombo General Hospital
- Colombo South Hospital (Kalubowila Hospital)
- Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital
- Dental Hospital Colombo
- Eye Hospital Colombo
- Colombo East Hospital (Mulleriyawa)
- Colombo North Teaching (Ragama) Hospital
- Welisara Chest Hospital
- National Institute of Mental Health
UNHCR does not vouch for the services of these hospitals. Other hospitals are also available. Please visit the Sri Lanka Ministry of Health website to obtain more information about the health services which are available.
For emergency medical issues please contact an ambulance service at 📞 1990.
Employment
To work in Sri Lanka, foreigners need to have a work permit issued by the country.
Refugees and asylum-seekers in Sri Lanka who do not hold a work permit are not allowed to work in the country, even if they have been registered with UNHCR.
Working without a work permission is against the law and you may be prosecuted in accordance with national laws.
Looking for work in another country? Visit our page on seeking jobs abroad.