Find your country
Menu
Home / Countries / Sri Lanka

How to earn money online in Sri Lanka

YouTube’s program is open to Sri Lanka, and PayPal arrived through local banks in May 2026. Service exports paid in foreign currency have a maximum tax rate of 15%.

✓ Checked 9 Nov 2026 · Next check 5 Feb 2027
Colombo’s towers along the coast

Open from Sri Lanka: YouTube Partner Program. Not listed: AdSense electronic transfer, Selling on Etsy, Shopify Payments, Prolific studies and TikTok Creator Rewards. Being on a platform is one thing, and getting the money out is another.

What works from Sri Lanka

MethodStatusWhat we found
YouTube Partner Program✓ AvailableSri Lanka is on Google’s list of program countries.
AdSense electronic transferNot listedSri Lanka is not on Google’s electronic transfer list. Google’s payment table shows cheque and wire transfer instead.
Selling on EtsyNot listedNot on Etsy’s payment processing fee list.
Shopify PaymentsNot listedNot on Shopify’s supported list, so a store here needs another payment provider.
Prolific studiesNot listedNot on the country list Prolific publishes for participants.
TikTok Creator RewardsNot listedNot in the lists we could read. Those lists differ, so check inside the app.
PayPal✓ AvailableThe Daily FT reports the official launch in May 2026, through Bank of Ceylon, Commercial Bank and Sampath Bank. Commercial Bank and Sampath customers can move a balance into their accounts. A fact check from February 2026 said withdrawals did not work then, so older guides may be out of date.
Upwork and FiverrCheck at sign-upTwo guides put Upwork in over 180 countries. Fiverr publishes no country list we could read, so confirm both at sign-up.

Tax on online income in Sri Lanka

  1. Service exportsThe Inland Revenue Department’s notice sets a maximum rate of 15% on services used outside Sri Lanka, when payment comes in foreign currency and is remitted through a bank.
  2. Personal reliefRs. 1,800,000 a year, from the 2025/2026 year of assessment.
  3. Normal rates6% on the first Rs. 1,000,000 of taxable income, then 18%, 24% and 30% on the next Rs. 500,000 each, and 36% on the balance, from 1 April 2025.

Quick answers

Can you make money on YouTube in Sri Lanka?

Yes. Sri Lanka is on Google’s list of program countries. AdSense pays out at $100 in US dollars, and its threshold differs by account currency.

How does Google pay in Sri Lanka?

Google’s payment table shows cheque and wire transfer for Sri Lanka.

Does PayPal work in Sri Lanka?

The Daily FT reports the official launch in May 2026, through Bank of Ceylon, Commercial Bank and Sampath Bank. Commercial Bank and Sampath customers can move a balance into their accounts. A fact check from February 2026 said withdrawals did not work then, so older guides may be out of date.

Do you pay tax on online income in Sri Lanka?

The Inland Revenue Department’s notice sets a maximum rate of 15% on services used outside Sri Lanka, when payment comes in foreign currency and is remitted through a bank.

What people in Sri Lanka search for

Before you pay anyone

  • Offers of pay for liking videos or rating products follow a known scam pattern.
  • Never pay a fee to get a job or to withdraw your earnings.

Read next

Way to earnVOLTIX referral program60% of the full price, every renewalCountryEarning online from EgyptCountryEarning online from ItalyCountryEarning online from VietnamGuideHow to make money onlineGuideHow fast each way paysGuideWhat pays by PayPal

Sources

Show the other 14 sources, each with the day we read it