Sri Lanka Calling Code: +94
Complete guide to calling Sri Lanka β international dialing code, step-by-step instructions, and FAQ.
How to Call Sri Lanka from Abroad
π Step-by-Step Dialing Guide
- Dial your country's exit code (e.g. 011 from US, 00 from most countries, + from mobile)
- Dial +94 β the country calling code for Sri Lanka
- Dial the local phone number (area code + subscriber number)
About Sri Lanka Calling Code
Sri Lanka's international dialing code is +94. This code is assigned by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and must be dialed before the local phone number when calling Sri Lanka from another country. Sri Lanka is located in Asia.
Sri Lanka is known locally as ΕrΔ« laαΉkΔva β Colombo is the capital. When saving an international contact, write the number in full international format with +94 so it works from any country.
Country calling codes (also known as ISD codes or dialing codes) are telephone numbering plan prefixes defined by ITU-T standards E.123 and E.164. Each country is assigned one or more unique prefixes to facilitate international direct dialing.
Where the +94 Calling Code Is Used
The country code +94 is assigned to Sri Lanka, located in Southern Asia, with the capital Colombo. This code is part of the international telephony numbering plan and is used for all calls made to Sri Lanka from outside the country.
When you see a phone number written as +94 ..., the +94 prefix tells your telephone network to route the call to Sri Lanka's national telephone network. After the country code, you dial the local area code (dropping any leading 0) and the subscriber number. The same format applies whether you are calling a landline or a mobile phone.
Country codes are allocated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-T Recommendation E.164) and are grouped by geographic region. Calling codes starting with 9 are generally assigned to the region around Sri Lanka, in Southern Asia. When a phone number is stored internationally, the leading zeros of the domestic area code are omitted after the country code β this is why you will often see numbers written as +94 followed directly by the area code and number.
Sri Lanka Phone Number Formats
Phone numbers in Sri Lanka follow the ITU E.164 international format: country code + area code + subscriber number. Below is the general structure used for both landlines and mobile numbers.
π± Number Structure
- International format: +94 [area code] [subscriber number]
- From abroad: exit code + +94 + local number (drop the trunk prefix 0)
- Within Sri Lanka: dial the local number directly
Most countries use a closed or open telephone numbering plan. In an open plan, the length of local numbers varies and the trunk prefix (usually 0) is dropped when dialing internationally. In a closed plan, all national numbers have a fixed length regardless of area. When dialing Sri Lanka from abroad, always replace the leading trunk zero with the country code +94.
Time Zone in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is in the Asia/Colombo time zone, which is UTC+05:30 relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). If you are calling from a different time zone, remember to account for the time difference when scheduling your international call.
When planning a call to Sri Lanka, the time difference matters: a good time to reach businesses in Colombo, the capital, during their working hours may be early morning or late evening in your own time zone. Many international callers use the UTC offset as a quick reference to avoid calling in the middle of the night.
Some countries observe daylight saving time (DST), which shifts the local clock by one hour during summer months. If Sri Lanka uses DST, the effective offset changes twice a year β check the current UTC offset before dialing if your call is time-sensitive. For most purposes, however, the standard offset shown above is sufficient.
Emergency Numbers in Sri Lanka
If you need urgent help while in Sri Lanka, dial the local emergency numbers below. Note that these numbers are only for use inside Sri Lanka.
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Police | 119 |
| Fire | 110 |
| Ambulance | 110 |
Example: Calling Sri Lanka Numbers in Practice
Here is how a typical call to Sri Lanka works, depending on where you are calling from:
π From the United States or Canada
- Dial the US/Canada exit code 011
- Dial the Sri Lanka country code +94
- Dial the local number (area code + subscriber number, without the trunk prefix 0)
Example: 011 +94 [area code] [number]
π From the United Kingdom or Europe
- Dial the international access code 00 (or use the + symbol on mobile)
- Dial the Sri Lanka country code +94
- Dial the local number
Example: 00 +94 [area code] [number], or +94 [area code] [number] from any mobile phone
If the number you are calling has a domestic trunk prefix (often 0) in front of the area code, omit it when dialing from abroad. The country code +94 replaces the trunk prefix entirely.
Calling Sri Lanka from Major Countries
International exit codes differ by country. Use this reference when dialing Sri Lanka (+94) from abroad:
| Calling From | Exit Code | Full International Dialing |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 011 | 011 94 [local number] |
| United Kingdom | 00 | 00 94 [local number] |
| Australia | 0011 | 0011 94 [local number] |
| China | 00 | 00 94 [local number] |
| Japan | 010 | 010 94 [local number] |
| India | 00 | 00 94 [local number] |
| Germany | 00 | 00 94 [local number] |
| France | 00 | 00 94 [local number] |
On mobile phones, the + symbol replaces the exit code entirely β just dial +94 followed by the local number.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the calling code for Sri Lanka?
The international calling code for Sri Lanka is +94.
How do I call Sri Lanka from the United States?
Dial 011 (US exit code), then +94, then the local phone number.
How do I call Sri Lanka from the United Kingdom?
Dial 00 (UK exit code), then +94, then the local phone number.
Can I use the + symbol instead of the exit code?
Yes! On mobile phones you can dial +94 directly followed by the local number. The + symbol automatically replaces your country's exit code.
How do I call within Sri Lanka?
If you're already in Sri Lanka, simply dial the local number directly. You do not need to use the country code +94 for domestic calls.
What is the capital of Sri Lanka?
The capital of Sri Lanka is Colombo. When calling the capital from abroad, dial +94 followed by the local area code (without the leading 0) and the number.
What are the emergency numbers in Sri Lanka?
Police: 119, Fire: 110, Ambulance: 110. These numbers are only valid inside Sri Lanka.
Other Countries in Asia
Nearby countries and their calling codes:
Calling Sri Lanka from Kazakhstan or Malaysia works the same way: dial your local exit code first, then +94, then the local number. Within Asia, many callers simply use the + symbol on mobile to avoid exit-code differences.