“Before coming to Sri Lanka we read a lot that the Internet can be iffy, it can be unstable, will be difficult to work with but still we want to be here to prove everyone wrong.” – Justina and Micha (Two Digital Nomads in a 2019 YouTube video)
It was his unquenched thirst of diving in the tropical seas, they say, that first led him to a country with lots of coconut trees along its mystic beaches. His first glimpse of the Indian Ocean island was in December 1954, when his ship SS Himalaya – taking him from London to Sydney, to explore the Great Barrier Reef – paused at the country’s main harbour for the day. He makes contact with a local diver, who would go along with him for the years to come. He returns to the island in 1956 along with a friend to explore its cultural and natural heritage for several months. At the end of this expedition, he decides to live here permanently even though he keeps on travelling extensively for work until the 1980s. By the way, he was a science fiction writer – known for the story and script of one of the hundred best movies ever produced.
Arthur C. Clarke, arguably, was the first ‘digital nomad’ of the island. He worked far away from his base but was still ‘employed’ thanks to a set of carefully chosen telecommunication tools. In a country yet to hear about the Internet, he used a satellite communication dish, installed in the backyard and an IBM AT. Powered by an Intel 80286 processor, this was the first known PC on the island. In fact, for Clarke, Sri Lanka introduced a new visa category, called Resident Guest in 1975. Though the term was introduced much later, this was a great example of how both parties mutually recognised their benefit to the other.
‘Digital nomads’, if the term still sounds new, are individuals who work online while travelling. It’s not a job, it’s a way of working: it’s about using technology to find work and deliver the project online. They do not have offices or hours to follow, because a digital nomad’s work is not tied to a particular geographical location. They are, therefore, free to work where they wish.
The range of possibilities appears limited on prima facie, but digital jobs are more numerous. It is quite possible to become a nomadic worker by exercising a profession related to computer programming, multimedia, writing, online marketing, or any activity that can be done with just a laptop connected to the Internet. However, some are more popular than others.
Sri Lanka’s decision to offer up to a yearlong visa (longer term, compared to tourist visas) is indeed commendable in this backdrop. However, this will only be the necessary, but not the sufficient, condition
In the folds of the digital professions, the following are better possibilities: web developer, mobile or software developer, project manager (including CRM and SaaS, PaaS etc.), system administrator (may not be always), AI professional, web designer, UX/ UI designer, illustrator, 2D/3D animator (or basically any graphic designer), video director/editor, photographer, web editor, writer, translator, online community manager, SEO professional and, digital marketer.
One can also work in other engagements such as professional blogging or vlogging, particularly covering travel, call centre operations, or though less obvious at first glance, as a customer service manager, remote language teacher, psychologist or a remote lawyer. The restrictions, if any, are imposed by the environments they work with and not by the travel conditions’ well – most of the time.
Sri Lanka’s decision to offer up to a year-long visa (longer term, compared to tourist visas) is indeed commendable in this backdrop. However, this will only be the necessary, but not the sufficient, condition. Making Sri Lanka, or any other country for that matter, attractive for nomads is a complicated process that goes beyond offering favorable visa conditions.
Take Lisbon, for example, a popular destination for digital nomads. Why do digital nomads choose Lisbon? There are several reasons. Lisbon has the sense of community among freelancers, says Lonely Planet. Facebook group ‘Lisbon Nomads’ has more than 5,500 members. It organises weekly meetups for networking, socializing, eating, and just unwinding with a glass of ginjinha (cherry liqueur). Many co-working spaces offer co-living accommodation.
Then the lifestyle. Despite its technological aspirations, Lisbon is one of Europe’s most human-friendly capital cities. Relaxed drinking laws allow sleepy backstreets to come alive at nightfall and remain busy until the early morning hours. Finally, the omnipresent free or low cost wi-fi is the norm in Lisbon, including in most cafes, with download speeds up to 25 Mbps or more. Mobile 4G coverage is widespread across the city, and 5G is just around the corner, thanks to a big push by Vodafone.
Locals using the desi stuff is one thing, insisting foreigners do the same is something else. This niche tourist market highly depends upon our openness. There will be absolutely no digital markets in a closed economy
Even under a no Covid-19 situation, can Sri Lanka offer the same? Sri Lanka’s hospitality is well known. Sri Lanka IT community meets, or at least used to meet before Covid-19 conditions, to discuss tech and work related matters and surely they will commence after the pandemic subsides. We too have cafes, but they offer only coffee and tea – no alcohol – not even beer.
Imported wines are too costly. Wi-fi is certainly not free and sometimes data speeds are abysmal even in the heart of Colombo. Out of town, it’s worse.
Interestingly, the connectivity story was better several years ago. Mobile broadband was available, all over the island, and downloads speeds were creditworthy. I know, as a local frequent traveller I have accessed and checked the speeds at different places in the island – Jaffna, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Wellawaya, Tissamamaharama, Hambantota, Matara, Galle to Puttalam cost belt, Kandy (of course!), Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Anuradhapura, Pollonnaruwa and even Ampara.
Speeds at all these places allowed me to work in digital nomad mode. Then something happened. Maybe the infrastructure development couldn’t keep up with demand. This is one condition that needs to be addressed before we see real results.
Perhaps we can take some tips from Arthur C. Clarke who has painstakingly penned his experiences in getting used to a different culture in his book ‘Reefs of Taprobane’. He writes about the difficulties in getting used to local languages (he never learnt enough Sinhala for a conversation!), troubles with long place names (his favourite ‘Angunakolapelessa’!) and how local bureaucracy made him almost abandon his intention to stay.
Some of these reasons are still valid. Add security to that. What does this tourist-friendly country offer its visitors? Not long ago a local politician murdered a British holidaymaker on Christmas Eve and raped his Russian partner in the southern resort of Tangalle. For those who take this as an exception, try googling to find how often females are harassed or raped here. Unless our systems protect guests who depend on us for their own security, we will never make this island a digital nomads paradise.
Finally, digital nomadism and protectionism do not go hand in hand. If the government is serious about continuing the current strict protectionist measures, it is better not even trying. Locals using the desi stuff is one thing, insisting foreigners do the same is something else. This niche tourist market highly depends upon our openness. There will be absolutely no digital markets in a closed economy. Arthur Clarke tolerated the 1970-77 closed economy, but the new generation of travellers will not – certainly not when they have so many other alternatives.