Authorities noted that the hotline is intended for urgent situations requiring immediate police action. However, investigations have revealed that it is often misused for false reports or non-police-related inquiries, which can delay response to genuine emergencies.
The police warned that providing false information to the 119 service is a punishable offense under Sri Lanka’s legal framework, and legal action may be taken against offenders.
To ensure the 119 hotline remains available for true emergencies, the police have provided a list of alternative short-dial numbers for other services:
Police Emergency Service – 119
Women Help Line – 1938
Child Help Line – 1929
Fire and Rescue Service – 1100
National Transport Commission – 1955
Drug Organized Crime Emergency Unit – 1997
Bureau for Prevention and Investigation of Abuse of Children and Women – 1090
Emergency Call Center (Tamil Medium) – 1070
Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption – 1954
Expressway Emergency – 1969
Department of Immigration and Emigration – 1962
National Dangerous Drug Control Board – 1984
Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment – 1989
National Help Desk (Ministry of Defence) – 118
Disaster Management Call Center – 117
Sri Lanka Tourism – 1912
Government Information Center – 1919
The police urge citizens to use these numbers for non-police emergencies and reserve 119 exclusively for urgent police assistance.
