Business

Dialog consolidates YTD performance with a stable Q3

Published

6 years ago

2020/11/13

Dialog Axiata PLC announced, Wednesday its consolidated financial results for the nine months ended 30th September 2020. Financial results included those of Dialog Axiata PLC (the “Company”) and of the Dialog Axiata Group (the “Group”).

The Group concluded Q3 2020 with stable performance across Mobile, Fixed Line and International businesses despite multiple challenges stemming from the Covid 19 pandemic. Group Revenue recorded a growth of 5% on a Year-on-Year (“YoY”) basis to reach Rs30.5Bn for Q3 2020 mainly due to the recovery in Mobile Revenue. Group Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation (“EBITDA”) reached Rs13.6Bn for Q3 2020 up 14% YoY driven by Revenue performance and diligent cost control initiatives. Group Net Profit After Tax (“NPAT”) reached Rs4.8Bn to record growth >100% YoY for Q3 2020 due to EBITDA performance and forex gain of Rs.188Mn relative to the forex loss of Rs1.0Bn in Q3 2019.

On a Year-to-Date (“YTD”) basis the Group performance remained moderate owing to free offers and challenges associated with Covid-19 dampening the performance in Q2 2020. The YTD Revenue impact from Covid-19 is estimated to be Rs4Bn led by Roaming, Enterprise, Television and Retail Mobile segments.

The Dialog Group recorded a consolidated revenue of Rs87.9Bn for the nine months ended 30th September 2020, demonstrating a growth of 1% YTD. On the back of cost control initiatives, Group EBITDA grew 4% YTD to reach Rs36.5Bn. The Group EBITDA Margin was accordingly recorded at 41.5% for the nine months ended 30th September 2020. Underpinned by stable EBITDA performance Group NPAT demonstrated a growth of 3% YTD to record Rs8.6Bn for the nine months ended 30th September 2020.

Dialog Group continued to be a significant contributor to state revenues, remitting a total of Rs13.8Bn to the government of Sri Lanka (“GoSL”) during the nine months ended 30th September 2020. Total Public remittances included Direct Taxes and Levies amounting to Rs4.1Bn and Rs9.7Bn in Consumption Taxes collected on behalf of the GoSL.

Group capital investment for the first nine months of 2020 was recorded at Rs12.0Bn representing a capex to revenue ratio of 14%. Capital expenditure was directed in the main towards continued investments in transforming Dialog into a digital telco, by digitising all spheres of the organisation and to further strengthen the Group’s leadership in Sri Lanka’s mobile and home Broadband sectors. Group Operating Free Cash Flow (“OFCF”) has recorded at Rs21.5Bn for the first nine months of 2020 up from Rs17.6Bn recorded for the corresponding period in 2019. Consequently, cash balance increased by Rs8.4Bn as compared to year end 2019 to record at Rs13.3Bn by end September 2020. Dialog Group continued to exhibit healthy and low geared balance sheet as the Net Debt to EBITDA ratio remained at 0.53 times as at 30th September 2020.

At an entity level, Dialog Axiata PLC (the “Company”) continued to contribute a major share of Group Revenue (69%) and Group EBITDA (75%). Company revenue was record at Rs21.1Bn for Q3 2020 and Rs60.6Bn for the first nine months of 2020 up 3% YoY albeit declining 2% YTD, mainly due to the Covid-19 related core Revenue slowdown.

Company EBITDA was recorded at Rs10.2Bn for Q3 2020 up 12% YoY while it reached Rs27.3Bn for the first nine months of 2020 representing an increase of 2% YTD. Downstream of EBITDA performance the Company NPAT was recorded at Rs4.6Bn for Q3 2020 and Rs9.0Bn for first nine months of 2020, increasing 5% YTD.

Dialog Television (“DTV”), continued its leadership position in the Digital Pay Television space with a subscriber growth of 11% YoY by end Q3 2020. DTV Revenue declined 3% YoY to reach Rs2.2Bn for Q3 2020 amid continued consumer wallet pressure. On a YTD basis revenue was down 1% to record Rs6.5Bn for nine months ended 30th September 2020, due to Covid-19 associated free services and slowdown in Q2 2020. Downstream of Revenue performance, DTV EBITDA recorded a decline of 9% YTD to reach Rs1.7Bn for the first nine months of 2020. Accordingly, DTV Net Loss increased to Rs845Mn for the nine months ended 30th September 2020 relative to a Net Loss of Rs335Mn for the corresponding period in 2019.

Dialog Broadband Networks (“DBN”) featuring the Group’s Fixed Telecommunications, Broadband and International Businesses recorded revenue of Rs8.0Bn for Q3 2020 up 10% YoY while the Revenue was recorded at Rs23.3Bn for the nine months ended 30th September 2020 up 13% YTD. DBN EBITDA recorded a growth of 11% YTD to reach Rs7.6Bn for the nine months ended 30th September 2020. NPAT reached to Rs626Mn up 8% YTD for the first nine months of 2020.

More details are available at the following links:

Dialog Axiata PLC direct weblink: https://www.dialog.lk/quarterly-reports

CSE direct weblink: https://www.cse.lk/home/company-info/DIAL.N0000/financial

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Business

Rs 160 million + diesel discrepancy at Lakvijaya power plant prompts probe

Published

16 hours ago

2026/09/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

The Lakvijaya power plant in Norochcholai.

By Ifham Nizam

A Rs.160 million-plus diesel discrepancy at the Lakvijaya power plant in Norochcholai has triggered an internal investigation, raising questions over the handling of public funds and the controls governing fuel purchased for electricity generation.

The discrepancy surfaced during an internal audit of diesel supplied to the plant from the Kolonnawa and Sapugaskanda fuel terminals, according to senior officials familiar with the inquiry.

The audit has identified five transactions—two in December 2025 and three in January 2026—in which diesel recorded as delivered to the plant allegedly could not be fully accounted for in its physical stocks.

The investigation is now examining whether these were isolated discrepancies or part of a longer-running practice.

One transaction under scrutiny relates to January 16, when records reportedly showed that 10 diesel bowsers had arrived at the plant. Investigators subsequently found indications that the fuel stock corresponded to only nine bowsers.

A storekeeper responsible for the relevant fuel operation has reportedly been temporarily removed from those duties pending the investigation.

A senior official said investigators were reviewing historical records amid indications that similar discrepancies may have occurred over a longer period. If established, the financial exposure could therefore exceed the Rs.160 million currently identified.

The investigation is comparing fuel-terminal dispatch records, tanker movements, plant-entry records, receiving documents and physical stocks to establish exactly how much fuel was dispatched, received and accounted for.

That audit trail will also be critical in determining who authorised, received and certified the disputed consignments, and whether established controls were followed.

Relevant documents were reportedly transferred from Norochcholai to the company’s Colombo head office on September 26 for further examination, with electricity-sector security personnel assisting in the transfer.

The internal audit has also reportedly uncovered expired chemical stocks worth several hundred thousand rupees in the plant’s stores. Investigators are examining whether further inventory-management irregularities occurred.

The matter was also reportedly taken to the Puttalam Police Special Crimes Investigation Unit on September 26.

When contacted by Puttalam-based journalist Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe for The Island Financial Review, Lakvijaya Power Plant Manager Nalaka Kumara confirmed that an investigation was under way but declined to provide further details.

The financial issue is direct: if the plant paid for diesel it did not receive, public-sector funds were spent without the electricity sector receiving the corresponding fuel.

Business

Sri Lanka Food Processors Association holds 29th Annual General Meeting

Published

16 hours ago

2026/09/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

The Sri Lanka Food Processors Association (SLFPA) successfully convened its 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on September 23, 2026, at the Water’s Edge Hotel, Battaramulla. Bringing together key industry stakeholders and member organizations, the event served as a platform to review milestone achievements from the 2025/2026 term and outline strategic priorities for the nation’s food and beverage processing sector.

At the AGM, the new Executive Committee for 2027/2028 was appointed, comprising: Honorary President Aruna Senanayake C.W. Mackie PLC Imme. Past President Thusith Wijesinghe Trans Continental Packaging & Commodities (Pvt) Ltd.

President Elect Nadishan Guruge Meadlee Trading Co. (Pvt) Ltd.

1st Vice President Damitha Perera Forbes & Walkers Commodity Brockers (Pvt) Ltd.

2nd Vice President Rasika Seneviratne Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC 3rd Vice President Deepal De Alwis Neochem International (Pvt) Ltd.

Honorary Secretary Amila Weerasinghe Nestle Lanka Limited.

Asst. SecretaryDineth Alahakoon Country Style Foods (Pvt) Ltd.

Honorary Treasurer Sameera Jayathilaka Westmann Engineering Company (Pvt) Ltd.

Asst. Treasurer Niroshan Dalpethado C D De Fonseka & Sons (Pvt) Limited. In addition to the above office bearers, the following ten Executive Committee Members were appointed:

Sanjeewa De Silva Unilever Sri Lanka Limited Sheran De Alwis MA’S Tropical Food Processing (Pvt) Limited

Thusitha Ekanayake Anods Cocoa (Pvt) Ltd.

Vijitha Govinna Plenty Foods (Pvt) Limited Ms. Praharshi Wickramasekara International Commodity Exports (Pvt) Ltd.

Sanjeewa Niroshan SGS Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. Kushan Amarasinghe Finagle Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.

Rangajeewa Hettiarrachchi Fonterra Brands Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.

Harindra Abeyrathna Vision Technologies International (Pvt) Ltd. Thilina Weerasekara Ceylon Cold Stores PLC

The event was proudly supported by key industry partners, with SGS Lanka (Pvt) Ltd serving as the Platinum Sponsor. Unilever Sri Lanka Ltd. and Nestlé Lanka Ltd. joined as Gold Sponsors, Ceylon Agro Industries – Prima as the Silver Sponsor, while Lanka Exhibition & Conference Services (LECS) and Hero Nature Products (Pvt) Ltd., supported as Bronze Sponsors.

The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Hony. Secretary Deepal De Alwis, followed by cocktails and a fellowship networking session, providing an opportunity for members to connect and strengthen industry ties.

Business

Uber brings the ‘business class of back seats’ to Sri Lanka with Uber Black

Published

16 hours ago

2026/09/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

New premium ride option expands Uber’s portfolio from affordable Moto and Tuk rides to premium on-demand travel

Uber announced the launch of Uber Black in Sri Lanka, bringing its premium ride experience to the country for the first time. Designed as the “business class of back seats,” Uber Black combines premium vehicles and highly-rated drivers for riders looking for greater comfort, quality and a more elevated travel experience.

The launch comes as demand for premium products and experiences grows across Sri Lanka, with consumers seeking greater choice and quality in their everyday experiences. Uber Black brings this choice to on-demand mobility, whether for an airport journey, an important business meeting, a special occasion or simply when riders want to travel in greater comfort.