Protection in Sri Lanka
Police Emergency Service 📞 119
This phone line is operated and managed by the Sri Lanka Police.
Gender-based violence (GBV) is any harmful act done to a person because of their gender. It can happen to anyone, but it often affects women and girls.
It includes:
- Rape and sexual assault
- Physical assault
- Forced marriage
- Emotional abuse
- Not allowing someone to access health services, education or job opportunities
These acts can happen at home, in the community, or anywhere else. GBV can cause serious harm and even death. It can leave lasting physical and emotional effects on survivors’ lives.
If you have experienced GBV or are at risk of violence, please reach out for help. You can contact:
- Emergency Hotline 📞 1938 (Women Helpline facilitated by the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs)
- Ministry of Women and Child Affairs 📞+94 11 2186055
- The Women and Children’s desk at the police station, including:
- Panadura Police Station (72, Old Colombo-Galle Road, Panadura), 📞038 2 233228
- Dehiwela Police Station (Hill St, Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, 📞 0112 738 222.
- Mt. Lavinia Police Station (Galle Road, Mount Lavinia, 📞 0112 738 351
- Negombo Police Station (Wellawediya, Negombo. 📞 +94 312 224 289
You can also approach any other police station close to you.
- The Police Children and Women Bureau (180/19 Grandpass Road, Colombo 14 or contact 📞0112444444)
Medical Assistance for GBV survivors:
Medical services for GBV survivors are available at all government hospitals. You can directly approach the nearest government hospital. Please visit the Sri Lanka Ministry of Health website to obtain more information.
Counselling Services:
In case you wish to receive counselling, you can reach out to any of the following:
- National Institute of Mental Health (Hotline –📞1926)
- Women in Need (25 Tickell Road, Colombo 8. 📞 011 2671401
- Sumithrayo (60/7 Horton Place, Colombo 📞 011 2682535)
- Alokya Counselling and Happy Life at Family Planning Association – 37/27, Bullers Lane, Colombo 7 📞011 2555455
- Shanthi Maragam (78/1, 1st Lane, Gothami Road, Colombo 8 📞0717639898)
- CCC Line – 37/94, Galle Road, Colombo 📞0777701273
If you are a child who needs help, a parent needing help for your child, or if you are concerned about a child who may need help, please contact: Childline Hotline 📞 1929
This is a free emergency number run by the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA).
They can help with:
- Child abuse
- Child labour
- Neglect
- Trafficking
- Substance abuse
- And other serious child protection concerns.
Local help
You can also contact the Child Rights Promotion Officer at the closest Divisional Secretariat (DS Office) office:
UNHCR and partners provide basic support to refugees and asylum-seekers in Sri Lanka, including referral to appropriate services.
Please contact UNHCR in Sri Lanka if you need any assistance:
UNHCR Call Centre
Phone number: 011-2580691
Available Monday to Friday, 8:30 – 16:30
UNHCR Emergency ONLY Line
Phone number: 0777390301
or use after 16:30 Monday-Friday, Saturday and Sunday or holidays
Your concern will be reviewed and followed up on based on urgency and need.