Most visitors never need their embassy, but if you lose a passport or are caught up in a crisis, knowing where to go saves time. These missions are all in Colombo. Addresses come from government listings; check the official site before travelling, as offices move.
Where the main missions are
| Country | Mission | Address |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | British High Commission | 389 Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7 |
| United States | US Embassy | 210 Galle Road, Colombo 3 |
| Canada | High Commission of Canada | 6 Srimath R. G. Senanayake Mawatha, Colombo 7 (reported 2026 move) |
| Australia | Australian High Commission | 21 Gregory’s Road, Colombo 7 |
| Germany | German Embassy | 40 Alfred House Avenue, Colombo 3 (consular section at 43 Temple Lane) |
| France | French Embassy | 89 Rosmead Place, Colombo 7 |
Phone numbers listed on third-party sites often conflict, so we have not printed them here. Use the official sites: gov.uk for the UK, lk.usembassy.gov for the US, travel.gc.ca for Canada, srilanka.embassy.gov.au for Australia, colombo.diplo.de for Germany and lk.ambafrance.org for France.
The emergency approach
Embassies are not first responders. For immediate danger, call 119 (police) or 1990 (ambulance), or ring the 24-hour tourism hotline 1912, which can connect you to the Tourism Police. Then contact your mission. The British High Commission directs urgent calls through an online contact form on its gov.uk page. If your own country has no mission in Colombo, EU citizens can ask any EU member state embassy for help.
Keep digital copies of your passport. Our health and safety guide covers hospitals and common risks, and good travel insurance pays the bills that an embassy will not.
What embassies can and cannot do
They can issue emergency travel documents, help you contact relatives, point you to doctors and lawyers, visit you if you are detained, and advise during unrest or disasters. They cannot pay bills, lend money as a rule, get you out of jail, override Sri Lankan law, or extend your visa; see our Sri Lanka visa guide.
If you lose your passport
- Report the loss or theft at the nearest police station and get a written report, which you will need for the embassy and your insurer.
- Contact your embassy or high commission and book an appointment. Bring ID copies, passport photos and the police report.
- Apply for an emergency travel document or replacement passport. Processing times and fees vary by country, so confirm with your mission.
- Ask your embassy whether you need exit clearance from Sri Lankan immigration, and tell your airline about the new document.
Allow a few spare days in the capital. Our Colombo guide covers the city, and you can book a Colombo tour once your paperwork is sorted.