Eighteen out of 52 major state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have incurred losses in the first six months of 2025, worsening fiscal pressures on the government and taxpayers, according to the Mid-Year Fiscal Report released by the Ministry of Finance.

The report has revealed a significant contraction in the profitability of the SOE sector. During the first half of 2024, the 52 entities collectively posted profits of Rs. 280.7 billion. In contrast, their combined profit for the corresponding period in 2025 has dropped to Rs. 227.8 billion—a decline of more than Rs. 52 billion.

Among the largest loss-makers are the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), SriLankan Airlines and the Lanka Sugar Company, all of which have recorded steep reversals compared to previous years. The CEB has posted a pre-tax loss of Rs. 13.2 billion as at 30 June 2025, a dramatic fall from profits of Rs. 144 billion in 2024 and Rs. 57.6 billion in 2023.

SriLankan Airlines has also suffered a sharp downturn, recording a pre-tax loss of Rs. 12 billion between April and June alone. The airline’s cumulative losses now stand at a staggering Rs. 628 billion. Its equity position has deteriorated to a negative Rs. 415 billion, while total liabilities have risen to Rs. 606.7 billion.

A BBC report cited by the Finance Ministry attributes the airline’s continuing losses to inadequate revenue diversification and heavy debt-servicing obligations.

The Cabinet has already approved restructuring of long-overdue debt amounting to USD 210 million and Rs. 31.4 billion, to be serviced with Treasury involvement.

Meanwhile, Lanka Sugar Company Limited has recorded a pre-tax loss of Rs. 2.6 billion as at 30 June, compared to a loss of Rs. 1.9 billion in 2024 and a profit of Rs. 2.8 billion in 2023, reflecting further deterioration in performance.

Presenting the 2026 Budget, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said political interference, weak financial discipline and patronage-based recruitment had turned several state entities into “a heavy burden on the economy.” He noted that a number of institutions had failed to pay bank loans, taxes or employee EPF/ETF contributions. The government has already allocated Rs. 11 billion to settle overdue employee benefits and outstanding taxes.

The President said the government would shut down institutions with no commercial, regulatory or administrative value, merge agencies performing overlapping functions and reorganise those that have diverged from their core mandates.

SOEs currently in the red include the CEB, SriLankan Airlines, Lanka Sugar Company, State Engineering Corporation, Lanka Sathosa, Hotel Developers (Lanka) Ltd, State Development and Construction Corporation, Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, State Timber Corporation, ITN, SLBC, State Printing Corporation, Ceylon Fisheries Harbour Corporation, National Livestock Development Board, Janatha Estate Development Board, Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation and the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation.

A number of institutions—among them Lanka Sugar Pvt Ltd, the Janatha Estate Development Board, SLSPC, SLRC, Ceylon Fisheries Corporation, NLDB, Elkaduwa Plantations Ltd, SLBC, North Sea Ltd and Lanka Ceramics JV Corporation—have been unable to meet EPF/ETF and tax obligations and now require direct Treasury support.

Despite the pressures, the Finance Ministry notes that several major SOEs have posted stronger results. State banks have reported a combined profitability increase of Rs. 65.5 billion in the first half of the year, while the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, National Water Supply and Drainage Board and Employees’ Trust Fund Board have also improved their performance.

The government has already begun the process of closing 33 inactive institutions by 2026 and restructuring others in line with new efficiency and governance targets.