Business
Dialog’s Net Profit After Tax turned positive in FY 2023
Positive YTD growth in all key financial lines:
YTD Revenue 187.8Bn, EBITDA 61.5Bn and NPAT Rs20.1Bn
YTD Revenue Growth at +5%, EBITDA Growth at +19% and NPAT at >+100%
Recommended Dividend: 55% of Earnings, 1.34 Cents per Share
Total Taxes Paid to GoSL Rs40.8Bn for FY 2023 which included Rs9.5Bn in Direct and Rs31.3Bn in Indirect Taxes
FY 2023 Investments in High-Speed Broadband and other Infrastructure Tops Rs25.5Bn
Dialog Axiata PLC announced its consolidated financial results for the year ended 31st December 2023. Financial results included those of Dialog Axiata PLC (the “Company”) and of the Dialog Axiata Group (the “Group”).
The Group concluded the Financial Year (“FY”) with positive topline performance across all business segments, namely, Mobile, Fixed, Digital Pay Television, International, Digital Platforms and Tele-infrastructure businesses. Group consolidated revenue was recorded at Rs187.8Bn for FY 2023 demonstrating a growth of 5% Year-to-Date (“YTD”). Group Revenue for Q4 2023 was recorded at Rs43.4Bn down 7% Quarter-on-Quarter (“QoQ”). Downstream of topline performance Group Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation (“EBITDA”) recorded strong double-digit growth of 19% YTD to reach Rs61.5Bn for FY 2023 whilst Group EBITDA decline moderated to 2% QoQ to reach Rs17.0Bn for Q4 2023. The positive outcome from Cost Rescaling and resilience actions taken by the Group helped achieve an EBITDA growth that exceeded Revenue growth on both YTD and QoQ basis. Accordingly, EBITDA margin improved 3.8pp to reach 32.8% for FY2023.
The Group Net Profit After Tax (“NPAT”) turned positive for the year to cross Rs20Bn mark for FY 2023 up >+100% underpinned by strong EBITDA performance, lower depreciation, forex gains and lower finance cost. Group NPAT for Q4 2023 was recorded at Rs5.3Bn up 72% QoQ. The YTD NPAT performance was strongly supported by a forex gain of LKR10.2Bn for FY 2023 as the Sri Lankan Rupee (“LKR”) appreciated 11.5% against the United States Dollar (“USD”). Normalized for the forex gain, the Group NPAT was recorded at Rs9.9Bn for FY 2023, up >+100% YTD.
In line with the dividend policy and financial performance of the Group and taking into account the forward investment requirements to serve the nation’s demand for Broadband and Digital services, the
Board of Directors of Dialog Axiata PLC at its meeting held on 16th February 2024, resolved to propose for consideration by the Shareholders of the Company, a dividend to ordinary shareholders amounting to Rs1.34 per share. The said dividend, if approved by shareholders, would translate to a Dividend Yield of 14.9% based on share closing price for FY 2023. The dividend so proposed will be considered for approval by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Company, the date pertaining to which would be notified in due course.
Dialog Group continued to be a significant contributor to state revenues, remitting a total of Rs40.8Bn to the GoSL during the financial year ended 31st December 2023 and Rs10.0Bn for Q4 2023, which represent a 14% increase YTD. Total remittances included Direct Taxes and Levies amounting to Rs9.5Bn and Rs31.3Bn in Consumption Taxes collected on behalf of the GoSL.
The Group capital expenditure for the year ended 31st December 2023 reached Rs25.5Bn, resulting in a Capex to Revenue ratio of 14%. Capital expenditure was directed towards investments in High-Speed Broadband infrastructure to further expand the Group’s leadership in Sri Lanka’s Broadband sector. Accordingly, the Group recorded Operating Free Cash Flow (“OFCF”) of Rs25.1Bn for FY 2023 up over 100% YTD.
Dialog Group being the first telecommunications service provider in the South Asian region to demonstrate 5G capabilities in 2018, reached a milestone of enabling over 200,000 Sri Lankans to experience the power of 5G on Dialog’s 5G Trial network. Dialog’s 5G trial network, recognised as Sri Lanka’s largest 5G trial network, spans over 70 locations across the country, including Colombo and several key cities.
Company stresses ambition to surpass this milestone
Eyes markets across Africa and beyond
In a groundbreaking achievement for Sri Lanka’s IT and electronics manufacturing industry, EWIS Colombo Ltd, the country’s first and only local computer manufacturer, has successfully exported its first consignment of locally built laptops to Zimbabwe.
This landmark event not only positions Sri Lanka as an emerging force in global IT hardware manufacturing but also highlights EWIS’s commitment to innovation, quality, and excellence on the international stage.
This historic shipment, dispatched from EWIS’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Samajasewapura, Sooriyawewa, underscores the company’s dedication to delivering world-class technology solutions. With over 11 years of expertise in manufacturing and assembly, EWIS Colombo Ltd has played a pivotal role in driving Sri Lanka’s ICT sector forward. As a Board of Investment (BOI) Section 17-approved company, EWIS has established the country’s first and only local computer manufacturing plant, paving the way for the nation’s growth in high-tech exports.
Speaking on this momentous achievement, Sanjeewa Wickramanayake, Chairman of EWIS Colombo Ltd, said: “This milestone is not just for EWIS but for Sri Lanka as a whole. It proves that our country has the talent, capability, and ambition to manufacture and export high-quality IT products, competing confidently on the global stage. As we continue expanding beyond local markets, we take immense pride in showcasing Sri Lanka’s excellence in technology and innovation to the world. EWIS’s commitment to world-class quality is reinforced by its ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, CE, FCC, and RoHS certifications, ensuring compliance with international quality, safety, and environmental standards.”
Speaking further he said:
“For nearly four decades, EWIS has been a trailblazer in Sri Lanka’s ICT sector, delivering cutting-edge solutions for education, businesses, and government enterprises.
With over 11 years of local manufacturing and assembly expertise, EWIS has continuously refined its capabilities to produce high-quality, internationally competitive IT hardware. The successful export to Zimbabwe represents a bold step toward expanding EWIS’s global footprint, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s potential as a world-class technology and manufacturing hub.”
Dialog Television, Sri Lanka’s #1 Pay-TV service provider, has partnered with Emerging Media to enhance the convenience and effectiveness of advertising. This collaboration brings together Dialog Television’s world-class entertainment, featuring 18 advertisable channels across genres such as movies, edutainment, kids, music, sports, and local content, with Emerging Media’s expertise in digital advertising and targeted marketing. This synergy creates a seamless platform for businesses to maximize brand exposure across multiple channels.
With a reach of over 1.7 million households, Dialog Television provides advertisers with a powerful avenue to engage diverse audiences. Brands can place advertisements on leading international and local channels such as &flix, Star Movies, TLC, Animal Planet, AXN, Zee Café, Comedy Central, Star Plus, A+, Nickelodeon, Star Vijay, Zee Tamil, Star Sports, Ten Cricket, Sony SIX, ThePapare TV, Channel One, Citi Hitz and Channel C. Through this partnership, Emerging Media will facilitate advertising sales, allowing businesses to target specific viewer segments while simplifying the media buying process with a single point of contact.
Commenting on the partnership, Lim Li San, Group Chief Operating Officer at Dialog Axiata PLC, stated, “As Sri Lanka’s premier Pay-TV service provider, we serve more than 1.7 million households with over 6 million pairs of captive eyeballs across Sri Lanka. Today, we are excited to embark on this partnership with Emerging Media to avail our Dialog Television platform and brand strength to provide quality advertisement exposure and customer engagement to local businesses across Sri Lanka.”
The International Institute of Health Sciences (IIHS), a pioneer in healthcare training for over 23 years, has partnered with the University of Surrey, UK, to revolutionise healthcare education in Sri Lanka and the broader South Asian region. This will create a world-class academic pathway for aspiring nursing and healthcare professionals, as well as young individuals seeking careers in the field. Under this agreement, IIHS and the University of Surrey will introduce a series of academic initiatives to enhance healthcare training and accessibility.
These include delivering internationally recognised nursing programmes that allow Sri Lankan and regional students to earn globally competitive qualifications in Sri Lanka.
Commenting on the move, Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe, CEO & Dean of Undergraduate Studies at IIHS, said: “This MOU marks a significant step in our mission to deliver world-class healthcare education to Sri Lanka and the region. IIHS remains dedicated to shaping the future of healthcare professionals and fostering global healthcare leadership.” Dr. Shelini Surendran, Associate Dean (International) at the University of Surrey, emphasised: “Sri Lanka is establishing itself as a regional education hub, and this partnership ensures students across Asia can access top-tier UK healthcare education at IIHS. By bridging academic excellence with accessibility, we provide students with a clear pathway to their professional goals.”
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