Colombo

Sri Lanka / Colombo

OVERVIEW

Contraception (Birth Control)

General Note: There are many types of contraceptives, also known as "birth control," including IUDs, oral contraceptives, patches, shots, and condoms, etc. If you would like to view a full list, click here.

Laws & Social Stigmas

• You can obtain birth control pills in Sri Lanka without a prescription. The leading brand in Sri Lanka is Mithuri, which is a combined oral contraceptive. Other brands you can expect to see are Eugynon, Ovral, Microgest, Microgynon, Mithuri and Nordette.
• You can get a contraceptive implant in Sri Lanka. One of the main brands that people get is Jadelle.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• Some of the best pharmacies in Colombo are Union Chemists (460, Union Place Colombo, WP 02) and Raj Pharmacy (189 W A. Silva Mawatha, Colombo 00600, Sri Lanka).

Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill)

Important Notes: Emergency contraception may prevent pregnancy for three days (72 hours) and sometimes five days (120 hours) after unprotected sex. Take EC as soon as possible after unprotected sex. If you don't have access to dedicated EC, oral contraceptives can be used as replacement EC, but remember the following: 1) Only some contraceptives work as EC 2) Different contraceptives require different dosages and time schedules to work as EC 3) You must only use the first 21 pills in 28-day packs and 4) They may be less effective than dedicated EC. For general information on emergency contraceptives, click here and here.

Laws & Social Stigmas

In Sri Lanka, you can obtain emergency contraception (the morning after pill) without a prescription.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• In Sri Lanka, you can buy emergency contraception (the morning after pill) at pharmacies. There are quite a few dedicated emergency contraception brands that you can purchase, including Emcon, Madonna, Pill 72, Postinor-2 and Pregnon. For all of these brands, you should take 2 pills within a maximum of 120 hours after unprotected sex.
• If you can't access dedicated EC, you can also use oral contraceptives as replacement EC. Remember that, in 28-day packs, only the first 21 pills can be used. You can use Eugynon or Ovral ( take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 2 more pills 12 hours later). You can also use Microgest, Microgynon, Mithuri and Nordette (take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later).

Costs

The price of EC ranges from Sri Lanka Rs. 90 to Rs. 150 ($0.69 - $1.15), as of 2013.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs/STDs)

Important Notes - Learn about PEP and PrEP: If you think that you've been recently exposed to HIV (i.e. within 72 hours), seek out PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis). It's a month-long treatment to prevent HIV infection after exposure, and it may be available in your city. Take PEP as soon as possible. For more information, click here. If you are at risk of HIV exposure, seek out PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis). It's a daily oral pill that can prevent HIV infection before exposure. To learn more about PrEP, click here.

Laws & Social Stigmas

There are no travel restrictions attached to STI status in Sri Lanka. If a foreigner is found to be HIV+, that person will be referred to the HIV Division at the National Hospital in Colombo for care. However, as reported by HIVTravel, "Sri Lankan law does allow immigration officials to refer visitors and foreign residents to a physician for examination if a public health risk is suspected. In practice this is a rare occurrence, but travelers should be aware that Sri Lankan law allows for the denial of entry to any foreigner who, upon referral from an immigration officer, is certified by a physician as posing a public health risk. Travelers who refuse a medical examination under these circumstances may be refused entry. Please verify this information with the Embassy of Sri Lanka before traveling."

What to Get & Where to Get It

Testing Facilities

• National STD/AIDS Control Programme Sri Lanka: Tests for HIV, viral load, PAP, etc. Address: No.29, De Saram place,

Colombo 10, Sri Lanka. Tel: +94 011 26 67163. Fax: +94 011 533 6873 / +94 011 2682859. Email: info@aidscontrol.gov.lk.

Support

• National STD/AIDS Control Programme Sri Lanka: "The National STD/AIDS Control Programme (NSACP), Ministry of Health, spearheads the national response to HIV/AIDS in Sri Lanka. NSACP is the focal point for planning and implementation of HIV/AIDS National Strategic Plan and AIDS Policy together with all stakeholders. The headquarters of the NSACP is situated at 29, De Saram Place Colombo 10, Sri Lanka and it networks with 30 full-time STD clinics and 23 branch STD clinics (as of end 2015)."
• HIV Division - National Hospital, Colombo: Address: E W Perera Mawatha, Colombo 00700, Sri Lanka. Phone: +94 11 2 691111.
• Companions on a Journey (Wattala): This LGBT organization conducts HIV prevention activities and provides care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS. E-mail: coj@sri.lanka.net or ilgaasia@sri.lanka.net.

Menstruation

Note: In addition to pads and tampons, you can also use menstrual cups and menstrual underwear for your period. To learn more about menstrual cups, click here. To learn more about menstrual underwear, click here.

Abortion

Important Note: There are two main types of abortions: medical (also known as the "abortion pill") and surgical (also known as "in-clinic"). For medical abortions, you take a pill to induce abortion. For surgical abortions, a procedure is performed to induce abortion. For general information about medical and surgical abortions, click here.