Nepalis in Sri Lanka
Online Psychiatrist for Nepalis in Sri Lanka
The Nepali community in Sri Lanka is small, and includes students, professionals, workers and families. If you are one of them, Dr. Kushal Kharel and our other doctors can see you by video consultation, in Nepali or English. This page covers the time difference, common pressures and where to turn in an emergency in Sri Lanka.
Key takeaways
- Dr. Kushal Kharel, Consultant Psychiatrist and founder of Kathmandu Mental Health Clinic, provides online psychiatry video consultation for Nepalis in Sri Lanka.
- Video consultation through Google Meet or WhatsApp video call, or by phone if video is not possible. Nepal is 15 min ahead of Sri Lanka.
- In an emergency in Sri Lanka, call 119 (police) · 1990 (ambulance) now. Crisis line: National Mental Health Helpline 1926. This clinic is not an emergency service.
Nepalis in Sri Lanka: life, work and study
Because the Nepali community in Sri Lanka is small, people can go long periods without speaking Nepali. Sri Lanka is close to Nepal in time, and has its own national mental health helpline that you can also use.
Sri Lanka uses one time zone all year, with no clock changes. It is 15 minutes behind Nepal.
In Sri Lanka, hospitals and mental health services are concentrated in larger towns, and the national helpline, 1926, is there for anyone who needs to talk. If you live outside Colombo, an online session can be easier to arrange than a journey to a clinic.
Common pressures for Nepalis in Sri Lanka
These are common experiences, not a diagnosis. If several feel familiar and have lasted for weeks, it is worth talking to someone.
- Being one of very few Nepalis where you live.
- Study, work or business pressure in a new country.
- Language barriers, and feeling misunderstood.
- Missing family and festivals at home.
- Loneliness, low mood and poor sleep.
Related guides: depression, panic and anxiety and stress and burnout.
Time difference between Sri Lanka and Nepal
Nepal is at UTC+5:45 all year, with no daylight saving.
| Where you are | Time difference | Evening example |
|---|---|---|
| Colombo and all of Sri Lanka | Nepal is 15 min ahead | 8 pm there = 8:15 pm in Nepal |
The clocks in this country do not change during the year, and Nepal has no daylight saving either, so the gap stays the same.
What your local time means in Nepal
Shown for Colombo and all of Sri Lanka.
| Your time | Time in Nepal |
|---|---|
| 7:00 am Early morning, before work or class | 7:15 am |
| 1:00 pm Lunch break | 1:15 pm |
| 6:00 pm After work or class | 6:15 pm |
| 9:00 pm Late evening | 9:15 pm |
Nepal is 15 min ahead of Sri Lanka. The gap is small, so an evening in Sri Lanka is also an evening in Nepal.
Use the time finder to see any Kathmandu time in 12 countries, or read the four booking steps.
If you need urgent help in Sri Lanka
Kathmandu Mental Health Clinic is not an emergency service. If you or someone near you is in danger or thinking of ending their life, call the local emergency number now: 119 (police) · 1990 (ambulance) or the crisis line: National Mental Health Helpline 1926. More helplines by country: findahelpline.com and befrienders.org.
Other countries: South Asia
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a video consultation with a Nepali psychiatrist from Sri Lanka?
Yes. Dr. Kushal Kharel, founder of Kathmandu Mental Health Clinic and a Consultant Psychiatrist (MD Neuropsychiatry, NMC No. 27199), provides online psychiatry video consultation for Nepalis in Sri Lanka through Google Meet or WhatsApp video call, or by phone if video is not possible, in Nepali or English, and Dr. Sunita Lama and Dr. Bhishma K.C. also provide video consultation. Tell us which doctor you prefer when you book on WhatsApp or 9714556408; no referral is needed.
What is the time difference between Sri Lanka and Nepal?
Nepal is at UTC+5:45 all year. Colombo and all of Sri Lanka: Nepal is 15 min ahead.
What should I do if I need urgent help in Sri Lanka?
Call the local emergency number now: 119 (police) · 1990 (ambulance). Crisis line: National Mental Health Helpline 1926. Kathmandu Mental Health Clinic is not an emergency service.
Can you prescribe medicine if I live in Sri Lanka?
A prescription from Nepal is generally not valid abroad, so the doctor explains what is possible where you live. Where medicine is needed, we can help you prepare a summary for a doctor in Sri Lanka, and we work with therapy and practical strategies in the meantime. A family member in Nepal can arrange payment for you if that is easier; we share the fee when you book.
Is there a mental health helpline in Sri Lanka?
Yes. The National Mental Health Helpline (1926), run by the National Institute of Mental Health, is available in Sri Lanka. 119 is the police emergency number and 1990 calls an ambulance.
Can I speak in Nepali if I live in Colombo or Kandy?
Yes. Sessions can be in Nepali, English or a mix of both. Many people who live where few others speak Nepali find that talking in their own language is a relief.
This guide is general information and does not replace advice from a doctor. If you are worried about your health or someone's safety, seek medical help.
In an emergency: Nepal Police 100 · Ambulance 102 · Suicide prevention helpline 1166. Outside Nepal, call your local emergency number.