To:
Hon. Minister of Finance, Government of Sri Lanka and relevant authorities

We, the undersigned Sri Lankan freelancers earning income from foreign clients, respectfully submit this petition requesting a review and exemption of the current 15% income tax on freelance income earned abroad.

Freelancers contribute to Sri Lanka’s economy by bringing in foreign currency and promoting the country’s talent internationally. However, the 15% tax on income earned entirely from overseas creates a financial burden that discourages Sri Lankans from pursuing freelance work and contributing further to the national economy.

Problem Statement:

Most Sri Lankan freelancers earn their income through platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and similar marketplaces.
These platforms already deduct a commission (e.g., Fiverr takes 20% of earnings), leaving freelancers with less income.
On top of this, Sri Lanka imposes a 15% income tax on the net earnings, which is effectively taxing the same income twice.

This taxation discourages talented Sri Lankans from freelancing and reduces foreign remittances that benefit the country.
Other countries actively encourage foreign income earners without taxing their earnings, making Sri Lanka less competitive in the global freelance market.

Proposed Solution:

Exempt freelance income earned fully from abroad from the 15% income tax.
Alternatively, reduce it to a reasonable flat rate to encourage freelancers to continue contributing foreign earnings to Sri Lanka.
Supporting freelancers will:

Increase remittances into the country
Strengthen Sri Lanka’s reputation as a hub for global talent
Promote economic growth by empowering local talent

We respectfully request the government to consider this petition and implement measures that support freelancers while fostering Sri Lanka’s economic growth. Exempting foreign-earned freelance income from taxation is a win-win for both the country and its talented citizens.