Sri Lanka Police says it has introduced a special initiative enabling members of the hearing-impaired community to lodge complaints with the ‘119’ Police Emergency Call Unit via WhatsApp video calls.

The initiative was officially launched by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on September 3, 2026, as part of programmes organised to commemorate the 160th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Police, with the aim of safeguarding the rights of the hearing-impaired community and enhancing the services available to them.

Under this initiative, members of the hearing-impaired community will be able to lodge complaints with the 119 Police Emergency Call Unit through video calls using WhatsApp. Arrangements have been made to commence the service from September 10, 2026, according to the Police Media Division. 

Until a dedicated short-code telephone number is introduced for this purpose, members of the hearing-impaired community can contact the ‘119’ Emergency Call Unit and lodge complaints by following the steps below: 

How to lodge a complaint via video call: 

1. Save the telephone number 011 280 9980 on your mobile phone. 

2. Make an audio call to this number via WhatsApp. 

3. The call will then be disconnected, and a link will be sent to your mobile phone. 

4. Open the link through WhatsApp. 

5. Select “Join Browser” and then select “Join Meeting.” 

6. Once these steps are completed, you will be connected to a video call, through which you can communicate your complaint. 

The public has been requested to make the hearing-impaired community aware of this unique service introduced to enhance their safety, accessibility and convenience, it added.