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Dialog consolidates YTD performance with a stable Q3

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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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Colombo Tea Auction: BOP struggles while lower-grade teas gain

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The varieties of Ceylon Black Tea include Broken Orange Pekoe Fanning’s (BOPF), Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe Fanning’s (FBOPF), Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe Fanning’s one (FBOPF 1) etc.

Analysts see budget-conscious international buying amid global economic pressures

This week’s Sri Lanka tea auction recorded the highest volume since February, with total offerings reaching 6.45 million kilograms (M/Kgs). However, the market displayed a mixed performance, with high-quality Broken Orange Pekoe (BOP) varieties facing price declines while lower-end teas saw appreciation.

Select Western BOP/BOPF teas, typically among the most sought-after, dropped by over Rs. 100 per kg, while others in the category saw smaller declines. Nuwara Eliya BOPs, known for their delicate flavor were mostly unsold, and when sold, fetched up to Rs. 200 per kg less than previous levels. Uva BOPs also declined by up to Rs. 50 per kg, reflecting weaker demand for premium liquoring teas.

In contrast, teas at the lower end of the market fared better. Below Best BOPs remained steady, while BOPFs in the same category fell by Rs. 50 per kg or more, influenced by inconsistent quality. Meanwhile, Low Grown PF1s (CTC grade) saw a firmer trend, with some appreciation in value.

The Leafy and Semi-Leafy sector saw Select Best BOP1s maintain stable prices, while OP1s (Orange Pekoe) were irregular—well-made varieties eased, but others appreciated. In the Tippy segment, high-priced FBOPs dipped, but Best and Below Best grades held firm, with the lowest-end teas gaining value.

Despite price corrections, all categories met fair demand, with Low Growns dominating at 2.6 M/Kgs. The Premium catalogue showed selective firmness for very tippy teas, while others eased or declined.

Analysts suggest that the dip in high-quality teas may reflect subdued demand from key export markets, while the resilience of lower-grade teas indicates steady domestic and budget-conscious international buying.

“With global economic pressures persisting, auction trends may continue fluctuating in the coming weeks,” they said.

– Reported using data from Forbes & Walker Tea Brokers

By Sanath Nanayakkare

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CBSL releases publication on financial statements for 2024

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The publication on the Financial Statements and Operations of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka 2024, a requirement under Section 99(2) of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No 16 of 2023, was presented to the President and the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, by Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, 29 April.

Dr. N S Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, Ms. Lasanthi Sirimanne, Chief Accountant and Ms. Samudra Jayasundera, Director Policy Review and Monitoring Department of the Central Bank were also present at this occasion.

The Financial Statements and Operations of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka 2024 present an overview of the Central Bank’s institutional performance during the year 2024. The publication is structured into three main components: Operational Insights, Financial Statements, and Supplementary Information.

The Operational Insights section outlines the Central Bank’s strategy and its core responsibilities, including maintaining domestic price stability, ensuring financial system stability, overseeing payment and settlement systems, managing currency issuance, and strategic communication. This section also covers the Bank’s international engagements, the execution of other entrusted responsibilities including agency functions, and internal management arrangements.

The Financial Statements section presents the IFRS-compliant financial statements of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka for the year ended 31 December 2024, along with the independent report of the Auditor General. This segment also includes a financial review, providing an analysis of the Bank’s financial performance during the year.

The Supplementary Information section provides details on the Bank’s regional presence, the list of institutions regulated and supervised by the Central Bank, and a summary of corporate information.

The interactive PDF of this publication can be accessed through; https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/en/publications/economic-and-financial-reports/financial-statements-operations

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Emirates deepens strategic partnership with Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau to support local travel industry

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At the Arabian Travel Market 2025, Emirates and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) have renewed their partnership aimed at further developing the country’s tourism and trade industries. The partnership was sealed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two parties.

The MoU was signed by Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, Emirates’ Senior Vice President of Commercial West Asia & Indian Ocean and Sampath Nissanka, Managing Director – Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau. The signing ceremony was also attended by Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer; Alexi Gunasekera, Consul General-designate of Sri Lanka to Dubai and the Northern Emirates in addition to other representatives of the airline and tourism board.

First inked in 2022, the renewed MoU will strengthen the collaboration between Emirates and SLTPB, with both the airline and tourism body reiterating their commitment to actively promote Sri Lanka as a destination to key markets within Emirates’ network.

Through joint initiatives, such as developing excursions and familiarization trips to promote the island nation to key feeder markets, Emirates and SLTPB aim to grow the tourism industry of the popular Indian Ocean destination by showcasing the destination to customers across the airline’s global network.

The joint efforts to boost the nation’s tourist industry have supported a steady increase in inbound traffic into the island, which recorded just over 2 million visitors in 2024. Between April 2024 and March 2025, Emirates carried over 240,000 passengers into Sri Lanka from key markets around its network including Russia, the UK, Germany, Australia, China, and the US, among others.

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