Economic Overview Today Sri Lanka is one of the fastest growing economies in the world; Sri Lanka's economy emerged on the international marketplace as a plantation economy, exporting rubber, cinnamon and tea in the 19th century. However, whilst these commodities still remain important to Sri Lanka's export market, the introduction of the free market economy in 1977, promoting private enterprise, has seen a rising importance in sectors such as telecommunications, clothing and textiles, information technology, petroleum refinement and finance as well as production. Sri Lanka's main export partners are the USA (21%) and the UK (11%) in areas such as textiles, tea and rubber, whilst India (20%) and China (14%) are Sri Lanka's main import sources of petroleum and foodstuffs. In fact, the private sector now accounts for over 80% of the country's economy, with the service sector contributing 60% of Sri Lanka's GDP, and agriculture falling to just 12%. Overseas employment now also contributes highly to Sri Lanka's foreign exchange, with 90% of Sri Lankan expatriates living and working in the Middle East.
Work Permits for Sri Lanka As mentioned in our article on moving to Sri Lanka, any non-national will require a visa to enter the country. However, which visa you have may dictate whether you are entitled to take up work whilst you're in Sri Lanka. If you are looking to work and live in Sri Lanka you will need a residence visa; this visa will not only allow you to enter the country but to work, study or volunteer. Residence visas are granted for a variety of different residence needs, which you can investigate by visiting the website of the Department of Immigration and Emigration. However, the best way to get a residence visa if you intend on working in the country is to find an employer first and let them help guide you through the application process. Please note that visitor visas cannot be converted for a longer term residence. Some work can be carried out on a Visitors Permit but only if this was issued for business purposes, not a Tourist Visit Visa.
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