HOW TO FIND A JOB IN SRI LANKA
The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a picturesque island nation located in southern Asia near India, washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. The country gained full independence in 1948, and its modern name was not officially established until 1972. Previously, this island was known as Ceylon. After the end of long military conflicts in 2009, the Government of Sri Lanka launched a massive economic development program and today the country is considered one of the most dynamic in the world.
A large number of foreigners visit Sri Lanka for tourism purposes or as employees of international volunteer organizations, and many are considering long-term official employment in the country. Fortunately, the local economy is growing and new job openings are being created, in a wide variety of fields, ranging from the traditional sectors – agriculture and tourism – to information technology, insurance, banking and financial services. Particular attention is paid to the construction industry and the improvement of infrastructure in general. In each of these areas there will be jobs in Sri Lanka for foreigners in 2024.
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Features of labor migration to Sri Lanka
The official unemployment rate in Sri Lanka in 2024 is 4-6%. Among young people the rate exceeds 25%. The number of labor force is about 8 million, while the total population of the country is about 21.9 million people. In addition to locals, migrant workers from abroad compete with those from Asian countries. The Sri Lankan government is naturally interested in maximum employment of its own citizens, many of whom are well educated in Western universities.
Incomes of local workers are not as high as in the developed countries of Western Europe, but reasonable prices for accommodation, food and basic necessities more than cover the difference in salaries. Sri Lanka is a democratic country where private property is protected and liberal laws are enacted. The official religion is Buddhism, which is practiced by about 70.2% of the population. About 12.6% practice Hinduism, 9.7% Islam. Other religions, including Christianity, account for no more than 10%.
The official languages in Sri Lanka are Sinhalese (74%) and Tamil (18%); other dialects account for no more than 8% of the residents. English is widely spoken in government institutions, academia and business. In general, this language is fluent in up to 10% of the population. To a lesser degree local citizens know Portuguese and Dutch. Sri Lanka has a tropical monsoon climate, the average temperature is between 18-33 degrees Celsius.
Working in Sri Lanka in 2024, in addition to the income will provide an opportunity to enjoy the stunning nature, fine food, luxurious beaches and a variety of cultural attractions. Typically, local companies have a standard 5-day work week, the country has 21 public holidays (weekends), progressive income tax ranges from 4 to 24% depending on income.
For most foreigners, travel to Sri Lanka requires a visa in advance, regardless of the reason. Official employment in this country is no exception. For long-term employment in Sri Lanka (more than 90 days), in addition to obtaining a work visa, a foreign applicant must apply for a residence permit. The Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration considers applications and makes a decision.
The main task of the foreigner is to find an employer and sign an employment contract. Only after that a work visa and a residence permit are issued. Usually the right to work and permanent residence is granted for one year with subsequent extension. The official requirements and conditions for obtaining work visas for different categories of migrant workers in Sri Lanka can be found on the website of the Department of Immigration and Emigration – immigration.gov.lk.
How to find a job in Sri Lanka
Thirty years of military conflict and the terrible tsunami of 2004 led to great destruction of Sri Lanka's infrastructure and created a number of economic problems. To this day, the country needs international support, including volunteers to work for nongovernmental organizations. At first glance, this kind of employment does not look particularly promising, but in fact it is not.
Yes, as a rule, volunteer work in Sri Lanka is not paid; usually only food and living expenses are covered. However, it is a good reason to move to the country legally, to get acquainted with the local culture and nature, as well as the opportunity to find an employer and in the future to take a job with a decent wage.
Before you start looking for a job in Sri Lanka soberly assess your skills and language skills. Work in Sri Lanka without a knowledge of the language, at least English at a good level, is practically inaccessible. More chances for employment have qualified specialists with higher education and experience.
The maximum number of available jobs in Sri Lanka for foreigners is concentrated in the tourist centers (Negombo, Mount Lavinia) and major cities – the official capital – Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, and the de facto capital – Colombo. Be sure to visit Sri Lanka as a tourist. This will not only allow you to see with their own eyes the situation on the local labor market, but also provide an opportunity to reach the employer directly.
Write a competent resume and cover letter. Write job offers to local and international companies through official websites. Here are some major corporations in Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka Telecom, Ceylinko Insurance, KFC, Marks & Spencer, Shell, Unilever and Citigroup. Visit topical forums and social media groups and look for business networking opportunities. Join a professional social networking site, linkedin.com.
Popular job search site in Sri Lanka
International resources with jobs in Sri Lanka
Websites of famous newspapers in Sri Lanka
If you can't find a job in Sri Lanka without an intermediary, contact a recruiting company. Information on Sri Lanka Recruitment Agencies can be found on the official website of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment – slbfe.lk.
Jobs and wages in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's largest employer is the government. The government sector employs about 13% of the local labor force. Foreigners mostly work in private business. About 28.4% of the local workforce is in agriculture, about 25.7% in industry, and 45.9% in services. Sri Lankan companies are interested in attracting experienced and qualified personnel from abroad with scarce professions and skills that the local population cannot offer.
The average salary in Sri Lanka in 2024 is 57,500 rupees a month, the equivalent of $185. Of course, much depends on the region and the profession. For example, senior managers, insurers, financiers and bankers make more than $2,000 a month. Experienced programmers, engineers and other skilled technicians can expect to earn $900-1,000 dollars a month or more. The tourism industry pays about $600-700 dollars. The minimum wage in Sri Lanka in 2024 is 12,500 rupees per month.
Jobs in Sri Lanka for foreigners in 2024 are available in the industrial sector, particularly in engineering and textiles, in information technology, telecommunications, banking and finance. Among the professions in short supply in Sri Lanka are specialists in the field of insurance. However, most foreigners are employed either in the construction of infrastructure projects or in tourism and English language teaching.
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