The +94 country code is for Sri Lanka. Whether you're calling Colombo, Kandy, Galle, or Jaffna, +94 is the prefix you need to reach Sri Lanka's roughly 22 million people.
Quick answer: The country code +94 is for Sri Lanka. All Sri Lankan numbers have 9 digits after +94. Mobile numbers start with 7. A Colombo landline looks like
+94 11 XXX XXXXand a mobile like+94 77 XXX XXXX.
How to call Sri Lanka: quick reference
The dialing format depends on where you're calling from. Sri Lanka uses a domestic trunk prefix of 0, which you drop when dialing internationally.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +94 [9-digit number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-94-[9-digit number] |
| United Kingdom (UK) | 00-94-[9-digit number] |
| Australia | 0011-94-[9-digit number] |
| Italy | 00-94-[9-digit number] |
| UAE | 00-94-[9-digit number] |
| Saudi Arabia | 00-94-[9-digit number] |
Sri Lanka has a sizeable diaspora spread across the UK, Canada (especially Toronto), Australia (Melbourne and Sydney), Italy, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, South Korea, and Japan. Many Sri Lankan workers in the Middle East and East Asia call home regularly, and families in Sri Lanka call them back on foreign numbers.
Understanding Sri Lankan phone numbers
All Sri Lankan phone numbers are 9 digits after the +94 country code. Within Sri Lanka, people add a 0 before the number (so 0XX-XXX-XXXX). Drop that 0 when calling from abroad.
Mobile numbers
Sri Lanka has a competitive mobile market with several carriers:
- Dialog Axiata: The largest carrier. Uses 77 and 76 prefixes.
- Mobitel (Sri Lanka Telecom): The state-linked carrier. Uses 71 and 70 prefixes.
- Hutch (Hutchison): Uses 78 prefix.
- Airtel Sri Lanka: Uses 75 prefix.
Dialog has the largest market share, followed by Mobitel. Dual SIM phones are common -- people often carry a Dialog SIM and a Mobitel SIM to take advantage of different rates and coverage strengths. Number portability exists in Sri Lanka, so a prefix doesn't always guarantee which carrier a number is currently on.
- Length: 9 digits after +94.
- Example: Domestic 077-123-4567 becomes
+94 77 123 4567internationally.
Landline numbers (fixed line)
Sri Lankan landlines use 2-digit area codes followed by a 7-digit local number:
- Structure: 2-digit area code + 7-digit local number = 9 digits after +94.
- Colombo: Area code 11.
- Other cities: Each has its own 2-digit code (e.g., 81 for Kandy, 91 for Galle).
- Trunk prefix: Drop the leading 0 when dialing from abroad.
Fixed-line use has been declining as mobile takes over. Sri Lanka Telecom operates most of the landline infrastructure. Businesses in Colombo still use landlines, but for personal calls, mobile is the default.
Sri Lanka area codes reference table
Sri Lankan area codes are 2 digits. Colombo (11) is the most commonly dialed since it's the commercial capital. The legislative capital is actually Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, but everyone just calls Colombo.
| City | Area code | International format |
|---|---|---|
| Colombo | 11 | +94 11 XXX XXXX |
| Kandy | 81 | +94 81 XXX XXXX |
| Galle | 91 | +94 91 XXX XXXX |
| Jaffna | 21 | +94 21 XXX XXXX |
| Negombo | 31 | +94 31 XXX XXXX |
| Matara | 41 | +94 41 XXX XXXX |
| Kurunegala | 37 | +94 37 XXX XXXX |
| Batticaloa | 65 | +94 65 XXX XXXX |
| Trincomalee | 26 | +94 26 XXX XXXX |
| Anuradhapura | 25 | +94 25 XXX XXXX |
Don't confuse +94 with +95
Sri Lanka is +94. Myanmar is +95. One digit off. If your call connects and nobody speaks Sinhala or Tamil, you may have dialed Myanmar by mistake.
| Code | Country | Region |
|---|---|---|
| +94 | Sri Lanka | South Asia |
| +95 | Myanmar | Southeast Asia |
Also watch out for +91 (India). Sri Lanka and India are neighbours, and the Sri Lankan Tamil community has close ties to Tamil Nadu. People dealing with both countries regularly can mix up the two codes.
Sri Lanka's mobile market
Sri Lanka has high mobile penetration for its income level. There are more active SIM cards than people, driven by dual SIM usage and separate data SIMs. Dialog Axiata has been the market leader for over a decade, but Mobitel competes aggressively, especially on data plans.
4G/LTE coverage is solid in Colombo, the western province, and along major highways. Rural and plantation areas have patchier coverage, though basic voice service reaches most of the island.
SIM registration requires a national ID card or passport. Tourists can buy prepaid SIMs at the airport in Colombo (Bandaranaike International) -- Dialog and Mobitel both have counters there.
Internet and calling apps
WhatsApp is the dominant messaging app in Sri Lanka. Almost everyone with a smartphone uses it for messages, voice calls, and video calls. Viber also has a strong following, especially among older Sri Lankans who adopted it before WhatsApp became dominant.
Facebook Messenger is common too. Facebook has very high penetration in Sri Lanka -- it's the main social media platform.
During the 2022 economic crisis, the government temporarily blocked social media platforms for several days. That restriction has been lifted, but it's worth knowing that Sri Lanka has imposed internet restrictions in the past during periods of unrest (including after the 2019 Easter bombings).
For calls to rural areas or to older family members on basic phones, a regular PSTN call to a +94 number is still the most reliable option.
The same time zone as India: UTC+5:30
Sri Lanka Standard Time (SLST) is UTC+5:30, which happens to be the same as India Standard Time (IST). This is convenient since many Sri Lankans have family and business contacts in India.
| Your location | Time difference | Call Sri Lanka 9 AM - 6 PM |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | Sri Lanka is 10h 30m ahead | 10:30 PM - 7:30 AM EST (night before) |
| US East Coast (EDT) | Sri Lanka is 9h 30m ahead | 11:30 PM - 8:30 AM EDT (night before) |
| US West Coast (PST) | Sri Lanka is 13h 30m ahead | 7:30 PM - 4:30 AM PST (night before) |
| UK (GMT) | Sri Lanka is 5h 30m ahead | 3:30 AM - 12:30 PM GMT |
| Australia (AEDT) | Sri Lanka is 5h 30m behind | 2:30 PM - 11:30 PM AEDT |
| UAE (GST) | Sri Lanka is 1h 30m ahead | 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM GST |
| Saudi Arabia (AST) | Sri Lanka is 2h 30m ahead | 6:30 AM - 3:30 PM AST |
| Italy (CET) | Sri Lanka is 4h 30m ahead | 4:30 AM - 1:30 PM CET |
| South Korea (KST) | Sri Lanka is 3h 30m behind | 12:30 PM - 9:30 PM KST |
Tip: Like India and Nepal, Sri Lanka uses a :30 offset. If it's 3:00 PM in Dubai, it's 4:30 PM in Colombo. Sri Lanka does not observe daylight saving time, so the offset stays the same year-round.
The diaspora connection
Sri Lanka's diaspora is concentrated in a few countries. The UK has the largest Sri Lankan community in Europe, centered around London. Canada -- particularly the Greater Toronto Area -- has one of the largest Sri Lankan Tamil populations outside Sri Lanka itself. Australia (Melbourne and Sydney) has a growing Sri Lankan community.
In the Middle East, hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankans work in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait, primarily in construction, domestic work, and hospitality. Italy has a notable Sri Lankan population, especially in the Milan and Rome areas. South Korea and Japan both host Sri Lankan workers through employment programmes.
For all these communities, regular calls to +94 numbers are part of daily life. Weekend calls home are routine -- Friday evenings in the Gulf states align well with late evening in Sri Lanka.
Mobile vs. landline: how to tell the difference
You can tell by the first digit after +94:
- Starts with 7: A mobile number (70-78, various carriers).
- Starts with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, or 9: A landline number (city area code).
Calling rates to Sri Lankan mobiles are typically higher than to landlines.
Dialing examples
Here are practical examples for calling different types of Sri Lankan numbers:
Example 1: Calling a Colombo landline from the US
- Sri Lankan number (domestic): 011-234-5678
- From a US mobile:
+94 11 234 5678 - From a US landline:
011 94 11 234 5678
Example 2: Calling a Sri Lankan mobile from the US
- Sri Lankan number (domestic): 077-123-4567
- From a US mobile:
+94 77 123 4567 - From a US landline:
011 94 77 123 4567
Example 3: Calling a Kandy landline from the UK
- Sri Lankan number (domestic): 081-345-6789
- From the UK:
00 94 81 345 6789
Example 4: Calling from the UAE
- Sri Lankan number (domestic): Any mobile (e.g., 071-567-8901)
- From the UAE:
00 94 71 567 8901
Common mistakes to avoid
Here are the most common mistakes when dialing the +94 country code:
- Keeping the leading 0: Sri Lankan numbers start with 0 domestically. Drop it when dialing +94. Dial +94 77 (not +94 077).
- Confusing +94 with +91: India is +91, Sri Lanka is +94. Both are South Asian countries with close ties. Double-check the code.
- Confusing +94 with +95: Myanmar is +95. One digit off from Sri Lanka.
- Wrong digit count: Sri Lankan numbers are exactly 9 digits after +94. If you have 8 or 10 digits, something is off.
- Assuming area code 91 is India: Galle's area code is 91. So +94 91 is a Galle landline, not India. The +94 at the start tells you it's Sri Lanka.
Cheapest ways to call +94 numbers
International calls to Sri Lanka through major carriers can cost $1-$3 per minute. Here's how to bring that down:
- VoIP services: Services like CallSky.io offer competitive per-minute rates to Sri Lankan mobile and landline numbers. Check our international calling rates.
- WhatsApp/Viber: Free when both sides have a good internet connection. WhatsApp is the go-to, but Viber still has loyal users in Sri Lanka.
- Calling cards: Still used in diaspora communities, especially among older callers in the UK and Middle East.
- International calling plans: UK carriers sometimes offer South Asia calling add-ons. Check our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
If you're calling regularly, a VoIP service with good Sri Lanka rates will save you the most compared to carrier rates.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country has the +94 country code?
The +94 country code is for Sri Lanka. Any call from a number starting with +94 originates from Sri Lanka.
How many digits is a Sri Lankan phone number?
Sri Lankan phone numbers have 9 digits after the +94 country code. Mobile numbers start with 7 (prefix 70-78). Landlines use a 2-digit area code plus a 7-digit local number.
What is the area code for Colombo?
The area code for Colombo is 11. Internationally, dial +94 11 followed by the 7-digit local number.
How do I call Sri Lanka from the USA?
From a mobile phone, dial +94 followed by the 9-digit Sri Lankan number (drop the leading 0). From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 94, then the 9-digit number.
What time zone is Sri Lanka in?
Sri Lanka is on Sri Lanka Standard Time (SLST, UTC+5:30) year-round with no daylight saving time. This is the same offset as India.
Does WhatsApp work in Sri Lanka?
Yes, WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app in Sri Lanka and works well in urban areas with 4G coverage. Viber is also widely used. In rural areas, internet connectivity can be slower, so a regular phone call may be more reliable.
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