Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte: what to see and whether to move there

What the city lives on and who it suits

Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is the official capital of Sri Lanka, where parliament sits, but in practice it is part of greater Colombo: the cities merge with no visible border. Kotte has about 110,000 people, and the Colombo metropolitan area more than 5 million. Kotte was the capital of an ancient kingdom in the 15th and 16th centuries, and the modern parliament building by architect Geoffrey Bawa stands on an island in Diyawanna Lake.

Kotte and neighbouring Colombo districts suit remote workers, entrepreneurs with clients abroad, families who value the sea, a warm climate and inexpensive living, and staff of international organisations. They suit less those who need strong public healthcare and a stable economy.

Districts

• Kotte and Battaramulla - calm districts around parliament and ministries, greenery, lakes and walking areas, cheaper than central Colombo.
• Colombo 7 - a prestigious district with villas, embassies, museums and Viharamahadevi Park.
• Colombo 3 and 4 - seaside districts with apartments, cafés and the Galle Face promenade.
• Rajagiriya and Nugegoda - residential districts between Kotte and the centre with markets and schools.

Money and prices

The currency is the Sri Lankan rupee. After the 2022 economic crisis the country went through default and an International Monetary Fund programme; prices rose, but for those with foreign currency life remains inexpensive: local food, transport and services are cheap, while imported goods, cars and international schools are expensive. Rents for flats and houses for foreigners are often negotiated in dollars.

Taxes

Income tax is progressive, from 0% to 36%, with an annual tax-free allowance of 1.8 million rupees. Income from services to foreign clients is taxed at a preferential 15%. Corporate tax is 30% and VAT 18%. More on the page about taxes in Sri Lanka.

Practicalities

• Entry. Tourists need an electronic travel authorisation, and since February 2026 there has been a digital nomad visa for remote work.
• Climate. Tropical: about 27-32 degrees all year, with two monsoon seasons - May to September and October to January.
• Transport. Tuk-tuks, taxis and ride-hailing, buses and coastal trains. The international airport is 35 kilometres north of Colombo.
• Language. Sinhala and Tamil; English is widely used in business and government.
• Healthcare. Colombo has good private hospitals, used by foreigners with private insurance.

Moving and legal status

Since February 2026 Sri Lanka has issued a digital nomad visa: it requires foreign income of at least $2,000 a month and a $500 annual fee, with residence granted for up to a year and renewable. There are also work, business and investor visas, and a retirement programme for pensioners. More on the page about the Sri Lankan digital nomad visa.

Leisure and trips

From Colombo it is easy to travel around the island: south to the beaches of Galle, Unawatuna and Mirissa, to the hills of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya with tea plantations, and to the ancient cities and Sigiriya rock. The expressway reaches Galle in about an hour and a half. Surfing and whale and elephant watching are accessible weekend activities.

Buying property and business

A foreigner cannot buy land outright but can lease it for up to 99 years, and foreigners do buy condominium apartments. A company with 100% foreign capital can be opened in most sectors, with registration in the companies registry taking a few days. Investors have free economic zones and the new Port City Colombo business district on reclaimed land by the sea.

Are Kotte and Colombo worth considering for life

Pros: the sea and tropics, inexpensive living, English in business, a preferential 15% rate on income from foreign clients, a digital nomad visa and varied nature on a small island. Cons: economic instability, heat and monsoons, traffic and limited public healthcare. Kotte and Colombo suit remote work and a small business with clients abroad. Write in the chat and we will choose a visa for your income.