Sri Lanka Police has introduced a new mobile app designed to make it easier for people to contact the police during emergencies. The app includes an SOS feature that can send a user’s location information to the nearest police station.
The service is aimed at Sri Lankan citizens with a National Identity Card, and the app is currently available on Android. Sri Lanka Police had earlier announced plans for an app covering police services, emergency contacts, alerts and other public information.
SOS Button Can Send Your Location During an Emergency
The main feature getting attention is the SOS button. According to Sri Lanka Police, a registered user can use the button during an emergency to alert police.
The reported process requires the user to press and hold the SOS button for 10 seconds. The app can then send the user’s location details to the nearest police station.
This can be useful when a person needs police help but may have difficulty explaining their exact location over a phone call. Location information can give police a clearer idea of where assistance may be needed.
The app is intended as an additional way to reach police. Sri Lanka’s existing police emergency service, 119, remains available for emergency calls.
Who Can Register for the App?
Sri Lanka Police has said that Sri Lankan citizens who have a National Identity Card can register for the app.
The application is designed to bring several police-related services into one place. It is not limited to the SOS function, so users can also access police information and other services through the platform.
The main features currently highlighted for the public include:
- An SOS button for emergency assistance and location sharing.
- Access to police emergency contact information.
- Police news, announcements and important updates.
- Access to police services and information through the mobile app.
What Else Can You Find in the App?
The app is designed as a wider digital platform for police services rather than only an emergency tool.
Sri Lanka Police previously said the planned application would provide access to police clearance report applications, emergency contact numbers and location-based alerts during critical situations. It would also provide police news, photographs and videos, with important information delivered through notifications.
The current app listing describes it as a platform for police information, public services, announcements and safety resources.
This means users can keep the app on their phone for normal police information as well as for situations where they may need emergency help.
How the SOS Feature Is Expected to Work
Using the emergency feature is meant to be simple. A user who is facing an emergency can open the app and use the SOS option.
The reported process is:
- Open the Sri Lanka Police app and go to the main screen.
- Select the red SOS button when police assistance is needed.
- Follow the instructions shown on the screen and keep the button pressed for the required 10 seconds.
- The user’s location details can then be sent to the nearest police station.
Users should give the app the required location permission before an emergency occurs if they want the location feature to work properly. Location services also depend on the phone and its available network or positioning signals.
The App Does Not Replace the 119 Emergency Number
The new SOS feature should not be seen as a replacement for Sri Lanka’s police emergency phone service.
Sri Lanka Police lists 119 as its island-wide police emergency service. The service is available for people who need urgent police assistance.
| Service | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Sri Lanka Police app SOS | Sends an emergency alert with location information through the app |
| 119 | Police emergency telephone service |
| 118 | Emergency information service |
In a serious emergency, people should use the emergency method that is available and works fastest for their situation. If the app cannot be opened or the phone has no suitable connection, the traditional emergency number remains important.
The App Also Brings Police Services to Phones
The new application is part of a wider effort by Sri Lanka Police to move more public services onto digital platforms.
Police had announced in June 2026 that an app for Android and iOS was being developed to give the public easier access to police services. The planned features included police clearance applications, emergency numbers, urgent notifications and location-based alerts.
The current Android listing shows that the public version is now available and was updated on September 2, 2026. The app provides police information, announcements, safety resources and emergency-related information in one place.
What Users Should Know Before Relying on SOS
An emergency app can be useful, but it depends on the phone being able to communicate with the service. Users should not wait until an emergency happens to check whether the application has the permissions it needs.
It is also important to keep the phone charged and make sure location access is available when using location-based emergency features. The SOS system should be treated as an additional way to seek police help, not as a reason to ignore other emergency options.
The app’s current Google Play listing says it may collect location and personal information, while data is encrypted during transmission. Users should review the permissions and privacy information shown on their device before registering.
A New Digital Way to Reach Sri Lanka Police
The new Sri Lanka Police app gives citizens another way to seek help when they face an emergency. Its SOS feature is particularly useful because it is designed to send the user’s location to the nearest police station after the required activation process.
Beyond emergencies, the app brings police news, public services, contact information and safety updates together in one mobile platform. The service is still part of a broader move toward digital police services, but its emergency function could be one of its most useful features for people who need help quickly.
For urgent police assistance, users should continue to remember the 119 emergency number while also keeping the official police app available on their phone if they choose to use its SOS service.