This study of 64 patients admitted to Kandy General Hospital, Sri Lanka, following suicide attempts, focuses on cultural & social differences between this group & like samples in Western countries. The study group was less isolated, used agricultural pesticides more often than drug overdoses, were less often referred for psychiatric advice, & very rarely attempted suicide a second time. The precipitating event was usually an interpersonal dispute between patient and kin. 23 ref. (NBB)