SLT-Mobitel is set to play a central role in accelerating Sri Lanka’s adoption of AI and digital technologies, following a strong financial recovery in the first half of 2025.
Anchored by a decisive financial turnaround that delivered Rs. 4.3 billion Profit After Tax (PAT) in 1H 2025 compared to a loss of Rs. 323 million the previous year, SLT-Mobitel is strongly placed to lead the development of critical digital infrastructure at a time when national capacity in AI, data systems, and connectivity is becoming increasingly vital.
Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Eng. Eranga Weeraratne, in his remarks on the company’s turnaround said, “The organisation’s strong 1H turnaround comes after a period of prolonged divestiture uncertainty under the previous administration.
The change in policy direction under the NPP government, which categorically stated that SLT-Mobitel would not be sold, has provided the clarity and assurance needed to protect this vital national asset. Backed by decisive leadership and strong government support, the company has been able to focus on revival—introducing innovative and streamlined mobile packages, enhancing customer service, and stabilizing its mobile network operations.
Through strategic leadership, targeted capital allocation, and disciplined execution, SLT-Mobitel has not only restored stakeholder confidence but also positioned itself with renewed strength and clarity of purpose. Today, it operates with greater efficiency and resilience, ready to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving digital landscape, and serves as a strategic enabler in Sri Lanka’s national digital transformation agenda.”
The organisation’s operating profit surged 148 percent in 2Q 2025, and finance costs declined 18.9 percent, highlighting prudent financial management and operational efficiency.
At company level, SLT PLC delivered exceptional results with year-over-year PAT in 1H 2025 increasing 873 percent to Rs. 2.6 billion, while Mobitel achieved a remarkable turnaround from a Rs. 1.1 billion loss to Rs. 1.1 billion profit year-over-year for the same period.
SLT- Mobitel Chairman Dr. Mothilal de Silva speaking on the company’s turnaround said, “Our performance in the first half of the year is a clear sign of SLT-Mobitel’s strategic renewal and the deep-rooted transformation taking place across the organisation.
The results are not merely financial, they represent a broader shift in how we operate, govern, and deliver value. Stronger governance frameworks, sharper execution, and a unified vision have enabled us to build momentum and sustain profitability. More importantly, this progress reinforces our role as a national and strategic enabler in Sri Lanka’s digital future.”
Accelerating momentum, the SLT Group is advancing several key initiatives that confirm commitment to driving the country’s digital future. Most significantly, SLT-Mobitel will be the strategic partner for Sri Lanka’s inaugural National AI Expo & Conference on September 29-30, 2025, signalling a new phase in the country’s journey toward technological leadership.
The National AI Expo will showcase Sri Lanka’s emergence as South Asia’s AI hub, displaying technology adoption and practical applications of artificial intelligence in healthcare, education, agriculture, and finance sectors.
SLT-Mobitel has already pioneered AI consumer solutions through initiatives such as Hello AI, Sri Lanka’s first AI-centric mobile package designed for youth, and AI Pazz, the country’s first AI-powered legal research platform. Meanwhile its island wide fibre network, reaching 95 percent of the population, provides the foundation necessary for nationwide AI adoption and digital service deployment.
The infrastructure transformation enables practical applications of emerging technologies, turning concepts such as real-time tele-diagnostics for remote clinics and precision-farming analytics into deployable solutions. The company’s network upgrades serve as a live testbed for low-latency edge computing, 5G-enabled robotics, and immersive AI applications.
Additionally, SLT-Mobitel is pursuing international initiatives and partnerships to expand digital services and connectivity solutions throughout the region, continuing to improve Sri Lanka’s telecommunications infrastructure.
Today, the organisation is well positioned as a strategic enabler in Sri Lanka’s digital advancement, supporting the nation to compete effectively in the global economy, while ensuring broader economic development and technological progress for every citizen. Beyond its commercial operations, SLT-Mobitel continues to play an indispensable role in advancing the country’s digital public infrastructure.
The company is the backbone provider of the Lanka Government Network (LGN), the Schools Connectivity Network, and the Gamata Sanniwedanaya rural communication programme - initiatives that directly bridge digital divides and extend connectivity to every level of society. Most recently, SLT-Mobitel secured the Lanka Government Cloud (LGC) project, reaffirming its unmatched ability to deliver the technical and commercial support required for critical government digitalization efforts. These national-scale programs highlight why SLT-Mobitel, as a trusted state-backed operator, remains central to safeguarding data sovereignty, enabling citizen services, and accelerating Sri Lanka’s journey toward a digital economy.
