Area Code 23 – Mannar

Geographic Overview

The +94 23 country calling code and area code combination designates the Mannar District of Sri Lanka, located in the Northern Province. This geographic prefix is assigned to fixed-line telephone services within the administrative boundaries of the Mannar District, which includes the town of Mannar and its surrounding divisional secretariat areas. The district is situated on Mannar Island and the adjacent mainland, connected to the rest of the country by the Mannar Bridge. Key localities served by this code include Mannar Town, Madhu, Nanattan, and Musali. The region is known for its historical significance and is a developing area with growing telecommunications infrastructure.

Dialing Formats

When dialing a fixed-line number in Mannar from within Sri Lanka, subscribers must use the national trunk prefix '0' followed by the area code '23' and the subscriber's seven-digit local number. The complete national format is: 0 23 X X X X X X. For example, a local number in Mannar might be dialed as 023 456 7890 from any other part of the country.

For international callers, the Sri Lankan country code (+94) replaces the trunk prefix '0'. The international dialing format becomes: +94 23 X X X X X X. For instance, a caller from abroad would dial +94 23 456 7890 to reach the same number. It is essential to omit the leading '0' of the area code when dialing from outside Sri Lanka.

Numbering and Overlay Considerations

All fixed-line numbers in Sri Lanka, including those in the Mannar District, are seven digits long after the area code. The numbering plan is closed, meaning the full national number (including the area code) is always dialed within the country. There are no overlay codes currently active in the Mannar area; the 23 prefix is exclusively assigned to geographic fixed-line services in that district. As the telecommunications sector evolves, some fixed-line numbers may be used for VoIP services, but the geographic association remains for routing and emergency services purposes.

Caller Instructions

For local callers within Mannar, it is still necessary to dial the full national number, including the area code, as per Sri Lanka's unified dialing plan. For callers from other districts in Sri Lanka, dial '0', then '23', followed by the local number. For international callers, always use the +94 country code and drop the trunk '0'. Ensure you have the correct number of digits; the total international number should be 11 digits after the plus sign (including country code and area code but excluding the trunk prefix).