With the growth of the IT sector in Sri Lanka, there are more local and global job opportunities than ever. Recent data from the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka suggests that the demand for web developer skills is projected to increase by 15% annually up to 2026. As companies hire for remote positions, web developers are expected to be among the most in-demand job roles in Sri Lanka in 2026 and beyond. Additionally, web developers in Sri Lanka could expect competitive salaries, averaging around $25,000 annually, making it an attractive field for entering professionals.

In this guide, you will learn how to become a web developer, the skills required to be a web developer, and the qualifications to achieve success.

Reasons Why Web Development Is an Excellent Career Choice in Sri Lanka

Web development is currently one of the most in-demand jobs, and for a good reason.

There is an overwhelming number of global companies needing work done in the development space.

Most of these companies will hire you to work remotely, with a small number of companies allowing hybrid models of work. To thrive in remote positions, web developers should develop remote-ready skills. Familiarity with remote collaboration tools such as GitHub Actions for workflow automation, Slack for team communication, and understanding Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) practices are crucial.

There are plenty of startups, established companies, and international educational technology (EdTech) iMET - Educational Technology Solutions companies needing to hire web developers to assist them in creating their websites, platforms, and other digital products.

The scope of web developer jobs in sri lanka

Currently, web developer IT jobs in Sri Lanka go well beyond the conventional office/remote work model. Professionals can work for:

Nowadays, web developers can pursue international careers while working from Sri Lanka.

Becoming a Web Developer

Anyone can become a web developer. There is no route to attaining this goal. What matters most is your skills and experience.

Consider the following reflective questions to help guide your decision:

Step 1: Learn the Basics

Learn these fundamental web technologies:

Step 2: Choose a Specialisation

Decide whether you want to do: Front-end development (UI/UX, React, Vue)

Step 3: Build Projects

Demonstrate your knowledge and skills by creating your own projects, websites, and applications. A strong portfolio is more critical than any certificate you may acquire. To make this process more engaging and goal-oriented, consider setting up a 30-day 'build and deploy' challenge. Choose a specific project idea, plan your milestones, and aim to complete and deploy the project within a month.

Skills a Web Developer Should Have by 2026

For web developers to remain relevant in the future, a blend of soft skills and technical skills will be needed.

Technical Skills

You need to know a few specific things when applying for a web developer position, including, but not limited to, these skills:

Web developers work with a range of technologies, starting with core languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to structure, style, and add interactivity to websites. Modern development also relies on frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue to build dynamic and scalable user interfaces. On the backend, developers commonly use Node.js, PHP, or Python to handle server-side logic and application functionality, supported by databases such as MySQL and MongoDB for data storage and management. Version control tools like Git and GitHub are essential for collaboration and code management, while a strong understanding of SEO and performance optimisation helps ensure websites are fast, visible, and user-friendly.

Soft Skills

If you can demonstrate a continual development of these skills, you can show that you are a qualified candidate for this role:

Qualifications for a Web Developer Role

Formal education with degrees, web developer qualifications and diplomas helps but is not a strict requirement. They’re nice to have, but there are other, less traditional methods to attain the skills needed to land web developer roles. Most of these web developer roles only really require the skills, project, and/or experience to perform the functions of the role.

Traditional web developer qualifications vs skills

In the working world today, skills, experience, and a strong portfolio are the most essential factors in hiring a candidate. While a formal degree provides some credibility, it is not enough to land a place if other candidates can demonstrate the ability to build real-world applications. What you hope to achieve in your career is not only to land a web development role in your country but also to demonstrate your flexibility and adaptability to the current global web development landscape.

The Future of Web Development in Sri Lanka

We can expect development to continue in the following areas:

With the right skills and a web development mentality, you can practice your way to a successful IT career from Sri Lanka.