SLASSCOM releases Compensation and Benefits Report 2025

From left: SLASSCOM Chairperson Shehani Seneviratne, IFS Sri Lanka Vice President Human Resources Thilanka Jayathilake and Virtusa (Pvt.) Ltd Senior Director Human Resources Inoka Dias

Key areas and findings of the report

SLASSCOM released its 2025 Compensation and Benefits Survey Report, a comprehensive industry benchmark on salaries, benefits and workforce trends across Sri Lanka’s IT, BPM and tech-enabled sectors. 

Independently conducted by Deloitte, the report features insights from IT, BPM, dual-sector and non-IT organisations with IT functions, with 72 percent of participants returning from the 2024 survey—underscoring strong industry confidence.

This year’s findings highlight how Sri Lankan organisations are recalibrating their total rewards strategies to respond to an increasingly competitive and dynamic technology landscape. In 2025, companies are moving beyond traditional pay structures toward personalised benefits, role-specific incentives and flexible work models that reflect evolving employee expectations. Organisations are also prioritising career development, skills enhancement and holistic employee experiences to attract and retain high-potential talent.

Key industry-wide trends – One of the most significant developments this year is the stabilisation of market increments. Following the unprecedented salary increases extended by IT companies to support employees during the economic crisis, incremental budgets have now settled into a more sustainable rhythm. For 2026, IT organisations are planning differentiated salary increases for top performers versus regular performers, while BPM companies are projecting higher adjustments. The sector shows signs of moving towards performance-linked rewards. Equally noteworthy is the growing momentum toward skill-based organisational structures.

Workplace shifts and employee expectations –With a multi-generational workforce, companies are introducing new-age, personalised benefits as part of total rewards packages. However, the survey confirms that total cash compensation continues to dominate employee priorities, even as organisations experiment with flexible, non-monetary elements of rewards.

Employee migration, has dropped in priority from first to second place in 2025. Yet, outward mobility remains visible, particularly among skilled professionals pursuing higher education abroad.

Job demand and global competitiveness – Demand for specific roles in IT that continue to surge, reflecting global technology trends. Traditional design and publishing roles show declining demand or require significant reskilling as digital capabilities evolve.

From a global competitiveness perspective, the report also indicates the top destinations for Global Business Services (GBS). However, in 2025, two new countries have emerged as attractive alternatives for outsourcing and GCC expansion. This shift underscores the urgency for Sri Lanka to optimise both talent quality and cost competitiveness to strengthen its position as a preferred GCC hub.

The survey also highlights the expanding footprint of Global Capability Centres in Sri Lanka, particularly in specific roles. In fact, 52 percent of the survey participants operate as GCCs, positioning the sector as a major contributor to the country’s export services economy.

“The 2025 Compensation and Benefits Report provides invaluable insights into Sri Lanka’s evolving tech talent landscape. As competition for skilled professionals intensifies globally, organisations must adapt their total rewards strategies to attract, retain and grow talent effectively. This report equips industry leaders with the knowledge to make informed, forward-looking decisions that will strengthen Sri Lanka’s position as a competitive and innovative tech hub,” said SLASSCOM Chairperson Shehani Seneviratne.

Participant landscape – This year’s survey draws on a diverse mix of organisations across IT, BPM, dual-sector and non-IT companies with IT functions. The majority are established players, underscoring the maturity and stability of Sri Lanka’s tech-enabled industry base. At the same time, fresh entrants and new categories have added exciting perspectives, making this edition the most dynamic yet.