Business
SLT Group revenue decreased by 2.8% from Q2’22 to Q2’23
While SLT PLC had 2.4% (Rs.400mn) revenue growth, Mobitel recorded 9.3% (Rs.1,066mn) de-growth during Q2’23 compared to Q2’22. Group revenue, therefore, decreased by 2.8% (Rs.763mn) from Q2’22 to Q2’23. SLT PLC revenue increase was driven by growth in Broadband, IPTV, and Enterprise revenue streams. However, such increase was slowed down due to decrease in International Transit revenue (90.3%, Rs.614mn) during Q2’23, though it must be noted that such international transit revenue has virtually no margin. SLT PLC revenue growth was primarily hindered due to delay in monetization of fibre network and customer churn. Revenue de-growth in Mobitel was due to significant decline in subscriber base. Subscriber base contracted by 1mn from June 2022 to June 2023.
Group Opex increased by 15.1% (Rs.2,513mn) in Q2’23 compared to corresponding quarter in previous year. Even though Mobitel revenue has declined YoY, Opex increased by 30.4% (Rs.1,998mn) during Q2’23 due mainly to sales related commissions. SLT PLC Opex increased by 5.5% (Rs.619mn) owing to AMC/license cost driven by devaluation of LKR, electricity tariff and fuel price increases.
Group EBITDA dropped by 31.9% (Rs.3,276mn) during Q2’23 due to decrease in Mobitel EBITDA by 61.9% (Rs.3,064mn). Accordingly, Group Operating Profit, PBT and PAT were also decreased by 92.7% (Rs.3,121mn), 161.3% (Rs.6,039mn) and 208.0% (Rs.4,076mn) respectively. Mobitel recorded Rs.835mn Operating Loss due to lower revenue and higher Operating Costs, ending with a net loss of Rs.1,390mn for the quarter. SLT PLC net loss for the quarter was Rs.1,027mn due to cost escalations and impairment of LTE assets. SLT PLC staff costs account for 36.8% of Operating Costs.
SLT Group’s revenue growth was stagnant for the 1st half of 2023 to record Rs. 52.7Mn, a 0.4% degrowth compared to the same period last year. At a company level, SLT revenues grew by 6.4% to Rs. 34.6Bn for the 1st half of the 2023.
During the first half of 2023, Mobitel revenue has contracted by Rs. 2.2Bn compared to revenue for the same period in 2022 and the loss recorded for the period was Rs. 1.5Bn. However, with the recent changes in management, Mobitel has been able to arrest the decline in subscriber base and revenue.
Janaka R. Abeysinghe, Chief Executive Officer, Sri Lanka Telecom said, “Prolonged recovery from the effects of the economic downturn, loss of Mobitel subscriber base, low productivity, and delay in monetization of fibre network have had a significant impact on the revenue generation of the Group. The government’s macroeconomic adjustments will help the country’s economic revival in the long term but may initially affect business growth and the disposable income levels of our customers. Managing the escalating operational costs, resulting from fluctuations in exchange rates and inflationary conditions etc.
\is a huge concern. In this context, pricing is key but setting the right price has become increasingly challenging. This situation will add pressure to our revenue generation and top line performance. Under these conditions, the Mobitel turnaround has become an immediate concern. Bank lending rates remaining high in the recent past has caused margins to erode and made funding extremely difficult. However, with the positive changes adopted by the Central Bank recently, we believe the lending rates will decline. We will continue to forge ahead, with increased productivity and navigate through the current economic uncertainties. Our commitment to providing innovative solutions and exceptional customer service will remain unwavering.”
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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