• Cites Rs 528b losses between 2008-2025

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his Budget speech, questioned whether the Treasury can continue to shoulder the financial burden of the SriLankan Airlines, disclosing that the national carrier has accumulated losses of Rs 528 billion between 2008 and last year (2025).

Presenting the 2027 Budget in Parliament yesterday (12), he described the losses as the consequence of what he termed an arrogant decision by a former ruler, placing the Airline's financial position among the challenges facing the Government as it seeks to strengthen public finances and reform State-owned enterprises (SOEs). 

The President said that an expert committee had been appointed to examine the issues facing the national carrier and identify an appropriate way forward. 

The disclosure comes against the backdrop of the Government's claim that it has improved the overall financial performance of major SOEs. According to the President, 52 major SOEs recorded a combined loss of Rs 774.6 billion in 2022 but moved to a combined profit of Rs 444.4 billion in 2025. He further said that these enterprises had recorded a combined profit before tax of Rs 367 billion by the end of August.