Sri Lanka Police will activate a new WhatsApp-based video emergency service on September 10, enabling hearing-impaired individuals to submit complaints to the 119 emergency line through video calls instead of voice communication.
Sri Lanka Police will introduce a WhatsApp video service for the hearing-impaired community beginning Thursday, September 10, as part of the 160th Police Day celebrations under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The initiative aims to provide an alternative reporting channel for individuals who cannot use conventional voice-based emergency calls.
Accessing the service requires users to save the contact number 011-2809980 on their mobile devices and initiate a WhatsApp audio call to that number. After the initial call disconnects automatically, users receive a link that opens a video meeting interface. By selecting "Join Browser" and then "Join Meeting," callers connect to a police officer for complaint submission. According to police statements, a specially trained officer from the 119 Emergency Call Division with sign language knowledge will respond to video calls and forward information to the nearest police station for immediate action.
The temporary access number will remain in use until a dedicated short-code similar to the existing 119 emergency hotline is established. Police described the service as designed to enhance safety and accessibility for the hearing-impaired community, addressing a gap in emergency reporting options for individuals unable to use telephone voice services.