SLT-Mobitel shelves privatisation, pivots to strategic partnerships

In a significant policy shift, SLT-Mobitel is moving away from full-scale privatisation as previously planned and will instead pursue strategic partnerships to drive innovation and growth.

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The change in strategy comes on the heels of'a remarkable financial recovery in the first half of 2025, positioning the state-owned enterprise as a critical enabler of Sri Lanka’s digital future.

Speaking at a recent media conference, SLT Group Chairman Dr. Mothilal De Silva confirmed the new direction. “The earlier government wanted to privatise. This government has taken a decision to support this entity and make it viable,” he stated. He clarified that while the company will not be privatised, it will actively seek different partnership models for innovation, network rollout, and infrastructure sharing “without sacrificing the strategic intents of the nation”.