Mental health support for UK nationals in Sri Lanka
Updated 27 January 2022
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Disclaimer
While all due care has been taken in compiling this information, accuracy cannot be guaranteed, and the applicable law and procedures may occasionally change. For these reasons neither His Majesty’s Government nor any member of the British Consular staff can accept liability for any costs, damages or expenses which might be incurred. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office holds and uses data for purposes notified to the Information Commissioner under GDPR and the Data Protection Act 1998 (which may be viewed at https://www.ico.org.uk). Such personal data may be disclosed to other UK Government Departments and public authorities.
Consular support
Whenever possible we will seek your permission before taking any action on your behalf.
We can:
- listen to you and help you look at your options
- help you to contact friends and family members if you want to
- visit you in hospital or prison in line with our usual procedures
- raise any concerns about your treatment or welfare with the responsible authority (such as a hospital or prison)
- help overseas medical staff contact medical staff in the UK who may be able to provide advice on your medical history
- give information about local medication suppliers
- be available, as appropriate, to offer you assistance if you choose to remain overseas
- liaise with your travel rep or travel insurance company, if you want us to
We cannot:
- give advice on mental health issues
- buy or supply medication
- withhold or remove a passport
- stop you from travelling abroad
- require you to return to the UK
- pay for you to return to the UK
- pay for food, accommodation or medical bills
- get you better treatment in hospital or prison than is given to local people
What to do if you need help
Emergencies
| Service | Number | |
|---|---|---|
| Police | 119 | It is a police hotline number for requesting help with regards to emergencies where law enforcement is required. They are not an ambulance service |
| Ambulance (free) | 1990 | Staff will not attend to an agitated or violent patient as they are not trained to do so |
For less urgent requirements, the first option, as in the UK, is to take an appointment with a general physician (GP), who would make a first assessment, provide basic support and signpost you elsewhere if necessary or assist you in going to hospital. See list of hospital and doctors in Sri Lanka.
You may also make an appointment with a psychologist or psychiatrist in a private hospital.
National hospitals
You can seek assistance of the police in the area. The current mental health law in Sri Lanka (Mental Diseases Ordinance 1873) has provisions for a police officer to present a person who is suspected of having a mental illness to the National Institute of Mental Health, Angoda (NIMH).
The police can arrest anyone behaving in a manner that puts their as well as other people’s safety in danger. The person arrested will be presented to a Magistrate and directed to a mental hospital for assessment and treatment. The transition from police custody to a mental health unit may take more than 24 hours and the patient may be admitted to a prison hospital in the meantime.
If there is no imminent danger to the life of the person or others, regular psychiatric services could be accessed.
A Consultant Psychiatrist is available in all the Government National Base Hospitals throughout the country. However, foreigners are not entitled to free services, though they will be attended to during emergencies.
Most district hospitals have mental health clinics run by doctors who have an additional training in psychiatry, but not at a specialist level.
Most outpatient departments in Government hospitals have doctors who can manage common psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia.
These GPs are mostly part-time private practice doctors that provide service after hours and can help in a non life-threatening emergency. Counselling and psychotherapy is not widely available.
Psychotherapy, counselling and related services for foreigners are limited outside Colombo. Even in the capital city Colombo, such services are only available at large private hospitals. Other places such as Kandy and Galle have limited facilities for such services.
Repeat or replacement prescriptions
All pharmacies will issue any medication if they have stocks, provided you have a prescription from a registered doctor in Sri Lanka.
Any private sector psychiatrist, physician or GP can provide repeat prescription. However, some of the medication that you are on may not be available in the country, especially specific brand names/brands of medications.
Compulsory hospitalisation
Mental Diseases ordinance 1873 has provisions for compulsory hospitalisation. However, the law applies only to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Angoda where the patient will be admitted.
Magistrates have the discretion to decide on the compulsory treatment setting. The patient is usually admitted to the nearest in-ward facility, which is usually in a large provincial government hospital.
Even if the law does not specify, the treating staff may notify the British High Commission of the hospitalisation.
Cost of hospitalisation
Government hospital services are not provided free of charge for foreigners. However, the cost is very low compared to the private sector.
Government hospitals require payment in cash. No credit card or insurance payments will be accepted.
Private hospitals require payment at various stages of hospitalisation and settlement of the bill before discharge. They will also expect payment despite having insurance if the insurance provider is not registered or has no local agent. In such cases, you will have to pay the bill and claim when you go home. Card payments are accepted in private hospitals only.
Suicide
Suicide is not a crime in Sri Lanka. But assisting someone to do so is. No legal action will be taken against a person who attempts suicide and fails. However, a police inquiry and a Judicial Medical Officer evaluation may take place in situations such as abuse or neglect. This includes child abuse, intimate partner violence and attempted homicide.
Support organisations in Sri Lanka
| Name | Specialisation | Telephone |
|---|---|---|
| National Council for Mental Health Sahanaya | Medical consultation and counselling centre | +94 776996367;+94 112 685 960; +94 114 339 607 |
| Sri Lanka Sumithrayo | Registered members of Befrienders Worldwide and focused on providing emotional support to help those at risk of suicide | +94 112 692 909; +94 11268253 |
| Samuththana | A resource centre for trauma, displacement and mental health, they also provides counselling and psychological support for individuals | +94 115767585; +94 112883847 |
Return to the UK
Repatriation is possible in many cases and costs will normally be covered by travel Insurance or personal funds.
The treating doctor can provide a summary of treatment usually in the form of discharge diagnostic card or a letter. A stock of medications is also provided to cover the travelling period.
See list of medical repatriation companies in the UK.