Srilanka, Feb. 25 -- SriLankan Airlines reported a pre-tax loss of Rs.1.96 billion for the seven months ended October 2024, reversing a profit of Rs.4.13 billion in the same period last year, the Finance Ministry said.

The ministry attributed the downturn to a 14.9 percent decline in net traffic revenue, which fell to Rs.152.32 billion, from Rs.178.82 billion a year earlier.

The government, which previously sought to restructure and privatise the state-owned airline, said it would explore alternative models to support the carrier without privatisation, citing its contribution to the national economy. To ease the financial pressure, the government provided a Rs.9.8 billion equity injection in 2024 and allocated Rs.20 billion in Budget 2...