The Premier integrated telecommunication service provider, Sri Lanka Telecom PLC. (SLT) announced its group and company financial results for the year 2012, notching Rs. 6.17bn Group Operating Profit, a growth of 19% Year on Year (YoY).

Despite the gain on foreign exchange translation in the second half of the year due to the appreciation of the rupee against the first half, cumulative translation loss on exchange for the full year has diluted the Group Profit before Tax (PBT) and Profit after Tax (PAT).

On a normalized basis (without exchange loss on translation), the group has reported a PBT of Rs. 7.2 bn, an increase of 12% and PAT of Rs. 5.25bn, an increase of 10% YoY.

However, after the loss on exchange translation, Group PBT and PAT declined by 3.2% and 10% to Rs 5.97 bn and Rs. 4.04 bn respectively. Year 2012 has been a challenging year for the SLT Group with the increase in fuel prices, hikes in energy costs and the rise in other input costs which exerted excessive pressure on the profitability of the group. The SLT Group Revenue increased by 10% YoY to Rs 56.77 bn.

The year marked another milestone for the SLT Group as it published its maiden annual financial statements based on new Sri Lanka Accounting Standards applicable for the financial period beginning 1st January 2012.

Commenting on 2012 results, the Chairman of SLT Group Nimal Welgama said “As the country’s premier integrated communication service provider, the SLT Group has been a catalyst of change and transformation in post-war Sri Lanka, truly connecting the entire nation as One Country. One Voice.”

“During the last three years the SLT Group has spent Rs. 42 bn in capital expenditure displaying our passion and commitment to the rapid growth of ICT in the country and further strengthening the position of the SLT Group as a key contributor to the ambitious development plans of the government. Operating results of 2012 and investments made in network modernization, capacity and coverage expansion demonstrates our quest and vigor to add value to our stakeholders,” he added.

At company level, revenue increased to Rs. 34.72bn, recording a growth of 8%.This is the highest revenue growth recorded since 2006 which was driven by an impressive growth of the broadband, enterprise data, wholesale, international services and PEO TV businesses. The company posted a PBT of Rs. 4.68 bn and a PAT of Rs.3.36 bn recording growth rates of 4% and 1% respectively.

Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel (Mobitel), the mobile arm of the group recorded an impressive revenue growth of 13% in 2012 despite intensified competition in the mobile telephony sector. In absolute terms, Mobitel recorded revenue of Rs. 24.93 bn in 2012 compared to Rs.22.08 bn in 2011, an increase of Rs.2.85 bn. This growth was realized mainly due to the increase in Mobitel’s subscriber base by 14% which is a remarkable achievement, considering the fact that the voice market has reached 100% penetration by 4Q 2012 according to the Telecom Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL).