SriLankan Airlines reports improved core performance despite headline loss in 2024/25

Dhaka: SriLankan Airlines has clarified the reasons behind its reported loss for the 2024/25 financial year, noting that the decline was largely due to reduced foreign exchange gains rather than a deterioration in its underlying operations.

According to the airline, the Group posted a loss of LKR 2,735 million for the year, compared with a profit of LKR 7,925 million in 2023/24.

The company explained that the difference stemmed mainly from a significant drop in exchange gains — LKR 3,925 million in 2024/25 versus LKR 26,717 million in the previous year — arising from the revaluation of foreign currency–denominated borrowings, which benefit when the Sri Lankan rupee strengthens.

Excluding the impact of exchange rate movements, SriLankan Airlines recorded a loss of LKR 6,660 million, showing an improvement from the LKR 18,792 million loss reported in 2023/24 on the same basis.

The airline said the results demonstrate continued progress in its operational performance, even as exchange rate fluctuations affected the overall financial outcome.

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