Why Sri Lanka is an ideal tech destination for Nordic companies
Nordic companies have the longest record of building software in Sri Lanka. IFS, founded in Sweden, runs 75% of its global R&D in Colombo. Creative Software has served Swedish, Norwegian and Danish clients for 25 years, including DIPS, Norway's largest health records provider. Tiqri, Norwegian parented, has delivered from Colombo for 15 years. Frontwalker, listed in Stockholm, calls Colombo its global tech center.
- 27 years
- IFS has operated in Sri Lanka
- 4.5 to 5.5
- shared working hours a day
- 550+
- people at Creative Software
6 companies connected to the Nordics already build in Sri Lanka
Creative SoftwareDedicated teams for Scandinavian clients since 1999. Clients flew to Colombo for its 25th anniversary.Read the story and sources
Tiqri150 developers and several client relationships that have lasted more than a decade.Read the story and sources
Frontwalker100+ engineers and 250+ projects for a Stockholm listed group.Read the story and sourcesThe roundupIFS employs 2,200+ people in Colombo across R&D and product support.Read the story and sources
InfomateA Norwegian accounting firm chose Infomate from 20 candidates in 2010 and still works with it.Read the story and sources
RootcodeA strategic base in Estonia and a former Ericsson and Saab executive on its board.Read the story and sourcesWorking hours and time zones
Sri Lanka is 3.5 hours ahead of Sweden, Norway and Denmark in summer and 4.5 hours ahead in winter. With a 9 to 6 day in both places you share 4.5 to 5.5 working hours every day. Finland is one hour closer, with 5.5 to 6.5 shared hours.
What Nordic companies source from Sri Lanka
HealthtechRegulated health platforms and operations
Automotive techEmbedded, electric vehicle and connected car software
Fintech and capital marketsTrading, banking and wealth platforms
AIAI products, agents and data platforms
Enterprise software and ERPERP, integration and large product codebases
Semiconductors and embeddedChip design tools and device software
Logistics and travel techBooking, warehouse and supply chain systems
Govtech and public sectorPublic sector platforms and secure delivery
Finance and shared servicesAccounting, finance operations and shared servicesThree ways to start
Hire a few people
Use an employer of record or contractors. No local company needed. How it works
Take a dedicated team
A Sri Lankan company runs a team that works only for you. See companies
Open your own centre
Register a company and hire directly. Setup guide
Tell us who you need
We introduce Sri Lankan engineers, specialists or partner teams who have worked with companies from the Nordics.
Common questions
Why do Nordic companies build software in Sri Lanka?
They have found engineers who stay on a product for years and work as part of the home team. IFS has done it for 27 years, Creative Software for 25 and Tiqri for 15.
What is the time difference between Scandinavia and Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka is 3.5 hours ahead of Sweden, Norway and Denmark in summer and 4.5 hours ahead in winter, giving 4.5 to 5.5 shared working hours a day.
Which Norwegian and Swedish companies have teams in Sri Lanka?
IFS and Frontwalker from Sweden, and Tiqri and DIPS (through Creative Software) from Norway, are published examples.