Sri Lanka's Side Hustle Generation

Walk into any Colombo cafe these days and you'll notice something curious. The person at the next table isn't just sipping a cappuccino; they're juggling work calls, replying to customers on WhatsApp, and probably editing a TikTok video to promote their small business. Welcome to the age of Sri Lanka's side hustle generation.

- BY LUGHADARINI YOGARAJA

With inflation biting harder than a kottu knife at 2 a.m., young Sri Lankans are refusing to let their salaries define their survival. Instead, they're turning hobbies, skills, and creativity into extra cash streams. Forget the old days of just "one job." Today, your barber might also sell pre-orders for sneakers, your Uber driver could be studying coding, and your office colleague might be secretly running a cake business on Instagram.

Sri Lanka's inflation has made the cost of basics feel like luxury shopping. A humble rice packet now competes with fine dining, and the dream of living independently in Colombo feels increasingly out of reach. For young professionals, one job alone often doesn't make the cut.

But side hustles aren't just about survival. For many, they're also about freedom and self-expression. That online jewelry business or photography gig doesn't only help pay the bills, but it also provides an outlet for passion and creativity. A salary may bring stability, but a side hustle often brings joy.