Area Code 34 – Kalutara

Geographic Overview

The +94 34 country calling code and area code combination designates the Kalutara telephone exchange area within the Western Province of Sri Lanka. This geographic prefix serves the administrative district of Kalutara, which encompasses the coastal town of Kalutara (located approximately 40 km south of Colombo) and its surrounding hinterland, including the towns of Panadura, Horana, and Matugama. The numbering area is part of the national destination code (NDC) structure defined under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRCSL) and follows the ITU-T E.164 international numbering plan.

Dialing Formats

For callers within Sri Lanka, the national significant number (NSN) for Kalutara numbers is 10 digits long, beginning with the trunk prefix '0' followed by the area code '34' and the subscriber number (typically 7 digits). The local dialing format is: 034 XXX XXXX (when calling from another Sri Lankan fixed or mobile line). For international callers, the country code +94 is used, and the leading '0' of the area code is dropped, resulting in the format: +94 34 XXX XXXX. For example, a number in Kalutara might be dialed as +94 34 222 3456 from abroad, or as 034 222 3456 domestically.

Caller Instructions

• Local callers (within Sri Lanka): Dial the full national number including the trunk prefix '0'. Example: 034 222 3456.
• International callers: Dial the international access prefix (e.g., 00 or +) followed by Sri Lanka's country code 94, then the area code 34 without the leading zero, and the subscriber number. Example: +94 34 222 3456.
• Mobile callers within Sri Lanka: When dialing a Kalutara fixed line from a mobile phone, the same national format applies: 034 222 3456.

Regulatory and Technical Notes

The Kalutara area code is a geographic code, meaning that the number is tied to a physical location and is typically assigned to fixed-line services provided by Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) and other licensed fixed operators. As with all geographic codes in Sri Lanka, the subscriber number length may vary, but the total NSN length remains 10 digits. Since the liberalization of the telecom market, number portability may allow subscribers to retain their numbers when changing operators, but the geographic association remains for routing purposes. Overlay codes have not been introduced for Kalutara; the 034 code is exclusively used for this region. For emergency services or directory assistance, callers should use the national emergency numbers (e.g., 110 for police, 119 for fire) which are independent of the area code.