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Financial Reports
Notes to the Financial Statements

(All amounts in Sri Lanka rupees million)

1 Reporting Entity

Sri Lanka Telecom PLC (the ‘Company’) is a company domiciled in Sri Lanka. The address of the Company’s registered office is Lotus Road, Colombo 1. The separate Financial Statements relates to Sri Lanka Telecom PLC. The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company as at and for the year ended December 2016 comprise the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the ‘Group’ and individually as ‘Group entities’). The Financial Statements of all companies within the Group are prepared for a common financial year which ends on 31 December 2016.

The Group primarily is involved in providing broad portfolio of telecommunication services across Sri Lanka, In addition, the range of services provided by the Group include, inter alia, internet services, data services, domestic and international leased circuits, broadband, satellite uplink, maritime transmission, IPTV service, directory publishing and provision of manpower. The Company is a quoted public Company which is listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange.

2 Basis of Preparation

(a) Statement of compliance

The Financial Statements of the Group and the Company which comprises the Statement of Financial Position, Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income, Statement of Changes in Equity and Statement of Cash Flows have been prepared in accordance with Sri Lanka Accounting Standards (SLFRS and LKAS) as laid down by The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (ICASL) and the requirements of the Companies Act No. 07 and 2007.

(b) Approval of Financial Statements by Directors

The Financial Statements were authorised for issue by the Board of Directors in accordance with the resolution of the Directors on 17 April 2017.

(c) Basis of measurement

The Financial Statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis applied consistently with no adjustments being made for inflationary factors affecting the Financial Statements except for the following item:

  • The liability for defined benefit obligation recognised are actuarially valued and recognised at the present value of the defined benefit obligation.

The Financial Statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.

(d) Functional and presentation currency

These Financial Statements are presented in Sri Lankan Rupees, which is the Company’s functional currency and the Group’s presentation currency. All financial information presented in rupees has been rounded to the nearest million, unless otherwise indicated.

(e) Use of estimates and judgements

The preparation of Financial Statements in conformity with Sri Lanka Accounting Standards requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected.

Information about significant areas of estimation uncertainty and critical judgements in applying accounting policies that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the Financial Statements is included in the following Notes:

  • Note 13 – Property, plant & equipment
  • Note 14 – Intangible assets
  • Note 20 – Trade and other receivables
  • Note 32 – Provisions and contingencies
  • Note 23 – Deferred tax
  • Note 24 – Deferred income
  • Note 26 – Employee benefits

(f) Changes in accounting policies

No changes in accounting policies have taken place during the year ended 31 December 2016.

3 Significant Accounting Policies

The accounting policies set out below have been applied consistently to all periods presented in Financial Statements, and have been applied consistently by the Group entities.

(a) Basis of consolidation

(i) Business combinations

The Group accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method when control is transferred to the Group. The consideration transferred in acquisition is generally measured at fair value, as are the identifiable net assets acquired. Any goodwill that arises is tested annually for impairment. Any gain or bargain purchase is recognised in profit or loss immediately. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred, except if related to the issue of debt or equity securities.

The consideration transferred does not include amounts related to the settlement of pre-existing relationships.
Such amounts are generally recognised in profit or loss.

Any contingent consideration is measured at fair value at the date of acquisition. If an obligation to pay contingent consideration that meets the definition of a financial instrument is classified as equity, then it is not remeasured and settlement is accounted for within equity. Otherwise, subsequent changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration are recognised in profit or loss.

(ii) Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries are entities that are controlled by the Group. The Group controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. The Financial Statements from the date on which control commences until the date on which control ceases.

(ii-a) Critical judgements in applying the entity’s accounting policies

The Directors have concluded that the Group controls all subsidiaries as it has majority control and voting rights over its subsidiaries as depicted in Note (ii-b), below:

(ii-b) Interest in subsidiaries

Set out below are the Group’s subsidiaries and Sub-subsidiaries as at 31 December 2016:

Name of entity Place of business/
country of incorporation
Percentage of ownership Principal activities
Mobitel (Private) Limited Colombo/Sri Lanka 100.00% Mobile service provider
Sri Lanka Telecom (Services) Limited Colombo/Sri Lanka 99.99% Providing network solutions for corporate customers and small business
SLT VisionCom (Private) Limited Colombo/Sri Lanka 100.00% Providing IPTV support service
SLT Publications (Private) Limited Colombo/Sri Lanka 100.00% Directory information and publication services
SLT Human Capital Solutions (Private) Limited Colombo/Sri Lanka 100.00% Providing workforce solutions
Sky Network (Private) Limited Colombo/Sri Lanka 99.94% Wireless broadband operations
SLT Property Management (Private) Limited Colombo/Sri Lanka 100.00% Managing SLT real estate resource
SLT Campus (Private) Limited Colombo/Sri Lanka 100.00% Higher education services and business management
eChannelling PLC Colombo/Sri Lanka 87.59% Providing information infrastructure for the healthcare industry

(iii) Non-controlling interest (NCI)

NCI are measured at their proportionate share of acquiree’s identifiable net assets at the date of acquisition. Changes in the Group interest in a subsidiary that do not result in a loss of control are accounted for as equity transactions.

(iv) Loss of control

When the Group loses control over a Subsidiary, it derecognises the asset and liabilities of the Subsidiary and any related NCI (if applicable) and other components of equity. Any resulting gain or loss is recognised in profit

or loss. Any interest in the former subsidiary is measured at fair value when control is lost.

(v) Transactions eliminated on consolidation

Intra-group balances and transactions and any unrealised income and expenses arising from intra-group transactions, are eliminated.

(b) Foreign currency

(i) Foreign currency transactions

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into the respective functional currencies of Group companies at the exchange rates at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into the functional currency at the exchange rate at the reporting date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value in a foreign currency are translated into the functional currency at the exchange rate when the fair value was determined. Foreign currency differences are generally recognised in Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income. Non-monetary items that are measured based on historical cost in a foreign currency are not translated.

(c) Financial instruments

The Group classifies non-derivative financial assets into the following categories: financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, held-to-maturity financial assets, loans and receivables and available-for-sale financial assets.

The Group classifies non-derivative financial liabilities into the other financial liabilities category.

(i) Non-derivative financial assets and financial liabilities – Recognition and derecognition

The Group initially recognises loans and receivables and debt securities issued on the date when they are originated. All other financial assets and financial liabilities are initially recognised on the trade date.

The Group derecognises a financial asset when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or it transfers the rights to receive the contractual cash flows in a transaction in which substantially all risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset are transferred or it neither transfers nor retains substantially all risks and rewards of ownership and does not retain control over the transferred asset. Any interest in such derecognised financial assets that is created or retained by the Group is recognised as a separate asset or liability.

The Group derecognises a financial liability when its contractual obligations are discharged or cancelled or expire.

Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount presented in the Statement of Financial Position when, and only when, the Group has a legal right to offset the amounts and intends either to settle them on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

(i-i) Non-derivative financial assets – Measurement
Financial assets
at fair value
through profit or loss
A financial asset is classified as fair value through profit or loss if it is classified as held-for-trading or is designated as such on initial recognition. Directly attributable transaction costs are recognised in the Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income as incurred. Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are measured at fair value and changes therein, including any interest or dividend income, are recognised in the Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income.
Held-to-maturity financial assets These assets are initially recognised at fair value plus any directly attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, they are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Loans and receivables These assets are initially recognised at fair value plus any directly attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, they are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Loans and receivables comprise cash and cash equivalents, staff loans and trade and other receivables, including related party receivables.
Available-for-sale financial assets These assets are initially recognised at fair value plus any directly attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, they are measured at fair value and changes therein, are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in the fair value reserve. When these assets are derecognised, the gain or loss accumulated in equity is reclassified to Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income.
(i-ii) Non-derivative financial liabilities – Measurement

Non-derivative financial liabilities are initially recognised at fair value less any directly attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, these liabilities are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

(i-iii) Fair value measurement

SLFRS 13 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell and an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

A fair value measurement requires an entity to determine the following:

  1. The particular asset or liability that is the subject of the measurement.
  2. For a non-financial asset, the valuation premise that is appropriate for the measurement (consistently with its highest and best use).
  3. The principal (or most advantageous) market for the asset or liability.
  4. The valuation technique(s) appropriate for the measurement, considering the availability of data with which to develop inputs that represent the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability and the level of the fair value hierarchy within which the inputs are categorised.

Fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. For some assets and liabilities, observable market transactions or market information might be available. For other assets and liabilities, observable market transactions and market information might not be available. However, the objective of a fair value measurement in both cases is the same to estimate the price at which an orderly transaction to sell the asset or to transfer the liability would take place between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions (i.e., an exit price at the measurement date from the perspective of a market participant that holds the asset or owes the liability).

When transaction price provides the best evidence of fair value at initial recognition, the financial instrument is initially measured at the transaction price and any difference between this price and the value initially obtained from a valuation model is subsequently recognised in profit or loss on an appropriate basis over the life of the instrument but not later than when the valuation is supported wholly by observable market data or the transaction is closed out.

Determination of fair values

The determination of fair value for financial assets and liabilities for which there is no observable market price requires the use of valuation techniques. For financial instruments that trade infrequently and have little price transparency, fair value is less objective and requires varying degrees of judgement depending on liquidity, concentration, uncertainty of market factors, pricing assumption and other risks affecting the specific instrument.

  • Level 1
    Fair value measurements using quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
  • Level 2
    Fair value measurements using inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e., as prices) or indirectly (i.e., derived from prices); and
  • Level 3
    Fair value measurements using inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (i.e., unobservable inputs).
Amortised cost

The amortised cost of a financial asset or liability is the amount at which the financial asset or liability is measured at initial recognition, minus principal repayments, plus or minus the cumulative amortisation using the effective interest method of any difference between the initial amount recognised and the maturity amount, minus any reduction for impairment.

(i-iv) Reclassifications

Reclassifications of financial assets, other than as set out below or of financial liabilities between measurement categories are not permitted following initial recognition.

Held-for-trading non-derivative financial assets are transferred out of the held at fair value through profit or loss category in the following circumstances: to the available-for-sale category, where, in rare circumstances, they are no longer held for the purpose of selling or repurchasing in the near term; or to the loan and receivables category, where they are no longer held for the purpose of selling or repurchasing in the near term and they would have met the definition of a loan and receivable at the date of reclassification and the Group has the intent and ability to hold the assets for the foreseeable future or until maturity.

Financial assets are transferred out of the available-for-sale category to the loan and receivables category where they would have met the definition of a loan and receivable at the date of reclassification and the Group has the intent and ability to hold the assets for the foreseeable future or until maturity.

Held-to-maturity assets are reclassified to the available-for-sale category if the portfolio becomes tainted following the sale of other than an insignificant amount of held-to-maturity assets prior to their maturity.

Financial assets are reclassified at their fair value on the date of reclassification. For financial assets reclassified out of the available-for-sale category into loans and receivables, any gain or loss on those assets recognised in shareholders’ equity prior to the date of reclassification is amortised to the profit or loss over the remaining life of the financial asset, using the effective interest method.

(i-v) Derivative financial instruments

The Group holds derivative financial instruments to hedge its interest rate risk exposure.

Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value; any directly attributable transaction costs are recognised in the Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income as incurred. Subsequent to initial recognition, derivatives are measured at fair value and changes therein are generally recognised in profit or loss.

(i-vi) Impairment
Non-derivative financial assets

Financial assets not classified at fair value through profit or loss, are assessed at each reporting date to determine whether there is objective evidence of impairment.

Objective evidence that financial assets are impaired includes –

  • default or delinquency by a debtor;
  • that the Group would not consider otherwise;
  • indications that a debtor or issuer will enter bankruptcy;
  • adverse changes in the payment status of borrowers or issuers;
  • the disappearance of an active market for a security; or
  • observable data indicating that there is a measurable decrease in the expected cash flows from a group of financial assets.

In addition, for an investment in an equity security, a significant or prolonged decline in its fair value below its cost is objective evidence of impairment.

Financial assets measured at amortised cost The Group considers evidence of impairment for these assets at both an individual asset and a collective level. All individually significant assets are individually assessed for impairment. Those found not to be impaired are then collectively assessed for any impairment that has been incurred but not yet individually identified. Assets that are not individually significant are collectively assessed for impairment. Collective assessment is carried out by grouping together assets with similar risk characteristics. In assessing collective impairment, the Group uses historical information on the timing of recoveries and the amount of loss incurred and makes an adjustment if current economic and credit conditions are such that the actual losses are likely to be greater or lesser than suggested by historical trends. An impairment loss is calculated as the difference between an asset’s carrying amount and the present value of the estimated future cash flows discounted at the asset’s original effective interest rate. Losses are recognised in profit or loss and reflected in an allowance account. When the Group considers that there are no realistic prospects of recovery of the asset, the relevant amounts are written off. If the amount of impairment loss subsequently decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, then the previously recognised impairment loss is reversed through the Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income.
Available-for-sale financial assets Impairment losses on available-for-sale financial assets are recognised by reclassifying the losses accumulated in the fair value reserve to the Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income. The amount reclassified is the difference between the acquisition cost (net of any principal repayment and amortisation) and the current fair value, less any impairment loss previously recognised in Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income. If the fair value of an impaired available-for-sale debt security subsequently increases and the increase can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment loss was recognised, then the impairment loss is reversed through Statement of Profit or Loss; otherwise, it is reversed through OCI.
Non-financial assets

At each reporting date, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of its non-financial assets (other than, investment property, inventories and deferred tax assets) to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, then the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment.

For impairment testing, assets are grouped together into the smallest group of assets that generates cash inflows from continuing use that are largely independent of the cash inflows of other assets or CGUs.

Goodwill arising from a business combination is allocated to CGUs or groups of CGUs that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination.

The recoverable amount of an asset or CGU is the greater of its value in use and its fair value less costs to sell. Value in use is based on the estimated future cash flows, discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset or CGU.

An impairment loss is recognised if the carrying amount of an asset or CGU exceeds its recoverable amount.

Impairment losses are recognised in profit or loss. They are allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the CGU and then to reduce the carrying amounts of the other assets in CGU on pro rata basis.

An impairment loss in respect of goodwill is not reversed. For other assets, an impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortisation, if no impairment loss had been recognised.

(d) Property, plant & equipment

(i) Recognition and measurement

Items of property, plant & equipment are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses.

Cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the asset. The cost of self-constructed assets includes the cost of materials and direct labour, and any other costs directly attributable to bringing the assets to a working condition for their intended use.

Purchased software that is integral to the functionality of the related equipment is capitalised as part of that asset.

When parts of an item of property, plant & equipment have different useful lives, they are accounted for as separate items (major components) of property, plant & equipment.

(ii) Subsequent costs

The cost of replacing part of an item of property, plant & equipment is recognised in the carrying amount of the item if it is probable that the future economic benefits embodied within the part will flow to the Group and its cost can be measured reliably. The costs of the day-to-day servicing of property, plant & equipment are recognised in profit or loss.

(iii) Depreciation

Depreciation is calculated over the depreciable amount, which is the cost of an asset or other amount substituted for cost, less its residual value. Depreciation is recognised profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of each part of an item of property, plant & equipment. In the year of acquisition, depreciation is computed on proportionate basis from the month the asset is put into use and no depreciation will be charged to the month in which the particular asset was disposed. Leased assets are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term and their useful lives unless it is reasonably certain that the Group will obtain ownership by the end of the lease term. Land is not depreciated.

Depreciation method, useful lives and residual values are reviewed at each reporting date and adjusted if appropriate. The estimated useful lives for the current and comparative periods are as follows:

Freehold buildings 5 – 40 years
Ducts, cables and other outside plant 5 – 12.5 years
Submarine cables 19 – 25 years
Telephone exchanges 8 – 12.5 years
Transmission equipment and towers 12.5 – 40 years
Motor vehicles 5 years
CDMA handsets 3 years
PABX system 1 – 6 years
Other fixed assets 4 – 10 years

(iv) Capital work in progress

Capital work in progress is stated at cost. These are expenses of a capital nature directly incurred in the construction of buildings, major plant and machinery and system development, awaiting capitalisation.

Major spare parts and project-related inventory qualify as property, plant & equipment when the entity expects to use them during more than one period and are used in connection with specific items of property, plant & equipment.

(v) Derecognition

The carrying amount of an item of property, plant & equipment is derecognised on disposal. Gains and losses on disposal of an item of property, plant & equipment are determined by comparing the proceeds from disposal with the carrying amount of property, plant & equipment, and are recognised net within ‘other income’ in the Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income.

When replacement costs are recognised in the carrying amount of an item of property, plant & equipment, the remaining carrying amount of the replaced part is derecognised. Major inspection costs are capitalised. At each such capitalisation, the remaining carrying amount of the previous cost of inspections is derecognised.

(vi) Borrowing cost

Borrowing cost directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of an asset that necessarily takes a substantial period of time to get ready for its intended use or sale are capitalised as a part of the cost of the respective assets. All other borrowing costs are expensed in the period they occur. Borrowing costs consist of interest and other costs that an entity incurs in connection with the borrowing of funds.

(e) Intangible assets

(i) Goodwill

Goodwill arises on the acquisition of subsidiaries.

Goodwill that arises upon the acquisition of subsidiaries is included in intangible assets. For measurement of goodwill at initial recognition, see Note 3 (a) (i).

Subsequent measurement

Goodwill is measured at cost less accumulated impairment losses.

(ii) Other intangible assets

Other intangible assets that are acquired by the Group, which have finite useful lives, are measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses.

(iii) Licenses

Separately acquired licences are shown at historical cost. Expenditures on license fees that is deemed to benefit or relate to more than one financial year is classified as license fee and is being amortised over the license period on a straight line basis.

(iv) Subsequent expenditure

Subsequent expenditure is capitalised only when it increases the future economic benefits embodied in the specific asset to which it relates. All other expenditure, including expenditure on internally-generated goodwill is recognised in profit or loss as incurred.

(v) Amortisation

Amortisation is recognised in profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of intangible assets, other than goodwill, from the date that they are available for use. The estimated useful lives for the current and comparative periods are as follows:

Software 2 – 10 Years
License and spectrum fees 2 – 10 Years

(f) Leased assets

Leases in terms of which the Group assumes substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as finance leases. Upon initial recognition the leased asset is measured at an amount equal to the lower of its fair value and the present value of the minimum lease payments. Subsequent to initial recognition, the asset is accounted for in accordance with the accounting policy applicable to that asset.

For operating leases, the leased assets are not recognised on the Group’s Statement of Financial Position.

(g) Inventories

Inventories are measured at the lower of cost and net realisable value. The cost of inventories is based on the weighted average cost principle. Value of inventories includes expenditure incurred in acquiring, conversion costs and other costs incurred in bringing them to their existing location and condition.

(h) Share capital

Ordinary share capital

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of ordinary shares and share options are recognised as a deduction from equity, net of any tax effects.

(i) Government grants

Government grants are recognised initially at fair value when there is reasonable assurance that they will be received and the Group will comply with the conditions associated with the grant. Grants that compensate the Group for expenses incurred are recognised in the Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income as other income on a systematic basis in the same periods in which the expenses are recognised. Grants that compensate the Group for the cost of an asset are recognised in the profit or loss on a systematic basis over the useful life of the asset.

(j) Employee benefits

(i) Defined contribution plans

A defined contribution plan is a post-employment benefit plan under which contributions are made into a separate fund and the entity will have no legal or constructive obligation to pay further amounts. Obligations for contributions to defined contribution plan are recognised as an employee benefit expense in profit or loss in the periods during services is rendered by employees. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that a cash refund or a reduction in future payments is available.

Employees’ Provident Fund

All employees of the Company are members of the Sri Lanka Telecom Provident Fund to which the Company contributes 15% of such employees’ basic salary and allowances.

All employees of subsidiaries of the Group are members of Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), to which the respective subsidiaries contribute 12% of such employees’ basic salary and allowances. Employees of Sri Lanka Telecom (Services) Limited are members of Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), where the Company contribute 15% of such employees’ basic salary and allowances.

Employees’ Trust Fund

The Company and other subsidiaries contribute 3% of the salary of each employee to the Employees’ Trust Fund.

(ii) Defined benefit plans

A defined benefit plan is a post-employment benefit plan other than a defined contribution plan. The defined benefit is calculated by an independent actuary using Projected Unit Credit method as recommended by LKAS 19 – ‘Employee Benefits’. The present value of the defined benefit obligation is determined by discounting the estimated future cash outflows using the yield on Government Bonds at the reporting date and have maturity dates approximating to
the terms of the Company’s obligations.

The Group recognises actuarial gains and losses that arise in calculating the Group’s obligation in respect of a plan in other comprehensive income.

The present value of the defined benefit obligation depends on a number of factors that are determined on an actuarial basis using a number of assumptions. Key assumptions used in determining the defined retirement benefit obligations are given in Note 26 Any changes in these assumptions will impact the carrying amount of defined benefit obligations.

Provision has been made for retirement gratuities from the first year of service for all employees, in conformity with LKAS 19 – ‘Employee Benefits’. However, under the Payment of Gratuity Act No. 12 of 1983, the liability to an employee arises only on completion of five years of continued service.

(iii) Termination benefits

Termination benefits are recognised as an expense when the Group is demonstrably committed, without realistic possibility of withdrawal, to a formal detailed plan to either terminate employment before the normal retirement date,
or to provide termination benefits as a result of an offer made to encourage voluntary redundancy. Termination benefits for voluntary redundancies are recognised as an expense if the Group has made an offer of voluntary redundancy, it is probable that the offer will be accepted, and the number of acceptances can be estimated reliably.

(iv) Short-term benefits

Short-term employee benefit obligations are measured on an undiscounted basis and are expensed as the related service is provided.

A liability is recognised for the amount expected to be paid under short-term cash bonus or leave encashment plans if the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation to pay this amount as a result of past service provided by the employee and the obligation can be estimated reliably.

(k) Trade and other payables

Trade and other payables are stated at their cost.

(l) Commitments and contingencies

All discernible risks are accounted for in determining the amount of all known liabilities. The Company’s share of any contingencies and capital commitments and of its subsidiaries for which the Company is also liable severally
or otherwise are also included with appropriate disclosures.

(m) Revenue

(i) Goods

Revenue from the sale of goods in the course of ordinary activities is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, net of returns, trade discounts and volume rebates.

Equipment sale

Revenue from sales of telecommunications equipment is recognised when persuasive evidence exists, usually in the form of an executed sales agreement, that the significant risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the buyer, recovery of the consideration is probable, the associated costs and possible return of goods can be estimated reliably, there is no continuing management involvement with the goods and the amount of revenue can be measured reliably.

If it is probable that discounts will be granted and the amount can be measured reliably, then the discount is recognised as a reduction of revenue as the sales are recognised. The total consideration on arrangements with multiple revenue generating activities (generally the sale of telecommunications equipment and ongoing service) is allocated to those components that are separable based on
the estimated fair value of the components.

The timing of the transfers of risks and rewards varies depending on the individual terms of the contract of sale.

Sale of directories

Revenue from publication sales relating to advertising revenue is recognised on publishing the advertisement on the telephone directory and a copy delivered to the subscriber on a percentage of completion method.

(ii) Services

Revenue from services is recognised as the services are provided. Revenue from service contracts that cover periods of greater than 12 months is recognised in the profit and loss in proportion to the services delivered at the reporting date. In respect of services invoiced in advance, amounts are deferred until provision of the service.

Domestic and international call revenue and rental income

Fixed line

Revenue for call time usage by customers is recognised as revenue as services are performed on accrual basis. Fixed rental is recognised as income on a monthly basis in relation to the period of services rendered.

Mobile revenue

Mobile revenue comprises amounts charged to customers in respect of monthly access charges, airtime usage, messaging, and the provision of other mobile telecommunications services. Mobile monthly access charges are invoiced and recorded as part of a periodic billing cycle. Air time, either from contract customers as part of the invoiced amount or from prepaid customers through the sale of prepaid cards, is recorded in the period in which the customer uses the service.

Revenue from other network operators and international settlements

The revenue received from other network operators, local and international, for the use of the Group's telecommunication network are recognised, net of taxes, based on usage taking the traffic minutes/per second rates stipulated in the relevant agreements and regulations and based on the terms of the lease agreements for fixed rentals.

Revenue arising from the interconnection of voice and data traffic between other telecommunications operators is recognised at the time of transit across the Group’s network and presented on gross basis. The relevant revenue accrued is recognised under income in the Income Statement and interconnection expenses recognised under operating costs in profit or loss.

Revenue from broadband

Revenue from Data services and IPTV services is recognised on usage and the fixed rental on a monthly basis when it is earned net of taxes, rebates and discounts.

Revenue from other ICT services

The revenue from other telephone services are recognised on an accrual basis based on fixed rental contracts entered between the Group and subscribers.

Deferred income

The connection fees relating to Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) are deferred over a period of 15 years. Revenue is recognised on an annual basis irrespective of the date of connection.

IRU revenue relating to leasing of SEA-ME-WE 4 cable capacity are recognised on a straight line basis over the period of the contracts. Amounts received in advance for any services are recorded as deferred revenue. In the event that a customer terminates an IRU prior to the expiry of the contract and releases the Company from the obligation to provide future services, the remaining unamortised deferred revenue is recognised in the period the contract is terminated.

Backhauling revenue which is leasing of SEA-ME-WE 3 cable capacity is recognised on a straight line basis over the period of contracts. Amounts received in advance for any services are recorded as deferred revenue.

Revenue from the sale of prepaid CDMA cards is deferred until such time as the customer uses the call time, downloadable quota or the credit expires.

Sale of mobile recharge cards and reloads for prepaid subscribers are initially recognised as deferred revenue
until such time as the subscribers use the services or credit period expires.

CDMA revenue

The connection fees relating to Code Divisional Multiple Access (CDMA) connections are recognised as revenue at the point the connection is activated.

(n) Expenditure

The expenses are recognised on an accrual basis. All expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business and in maintaining property, plant & equipment in a state of efficiency is charged against income in arriving at the profit for the year.

(o) Lease payments

Payments made under operating leases are recognised in profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Lease incentives received are recognised as an integral part of the total lease expense, over the term of the lease.

Minimum lease payments made under finance leases are apportioned between the finance expense and the reduction of the outstanding liability. The finance expense is allocated to each period during the lease term so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.

Contingent lease payments are accounted for by revising the minimum lease payments over the remaining term of the lease when the lease adjustment is confirmed determining whether an arrangement contains a lease.

At inception of an arrangement, the Group determines whether such an arrangement is or contains a lease. A specific asset is the subject of a lease if fulfilment of the arrangement is dependent on the use of that specific asset. An arrangement conveys the right to use the asset if the arrangement conveys to the Group the right to control the use of the underlying asset.

(p) Finance income and expenses

The Group’s finance income and finance cost include:

  • Interest income from repurchase agreements
  • Interest income from fixed deposits
  • Staff loan interest income
  • Interest expense from borrowings
  • Interest expense arising from leases
  • Foreign exchange gains or losses

Interest income or expense is recognised using the effective interest method. Dividend income is recognised in profit or loss on the date on which the Group’s right to receive payment is established.

(q) Income tax

Income tax expense comprises current and deferred tax. Income tax expense is recognised in profit or loss except to the extent that it relates to items recognised directly in equity, in which case it is recognised in equity or other comprehensive income.

(i) Current taxation

Income tax expense comprises current and deferred tax. Income tax expense is recognised or profit or loss except to the extent that it relates to items recognised directly in equity, in which case it is recognised in equity or other comprehensive income.

Provisions for taxation is based on the profit for the year adjusted for taxation purposes in accordance with the provisions of the Inland Revenue Act No. 10 of 2006 and the amendments thereto.

(ii) Deferred taxation

Deferred tax is recognised in respect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. Deferred tax is not recognised for the following temporary differences: the initial recognition of assets or liabilities in a transaction that is not a business combination and that affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss and differences relating to investments in nor taxable profit or loss and differences relating to investments in subsidiaries to the extent that it is probable that they will not reverse in the foreseeable future. In addition, deferred tax is not recognised for taxable temporary differences arising on the initial recognition of goodwill. Deferred tax is measured at the tax rates that are expected to be applied to temporary differences when they reverse, based on the laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax liabilities and assets, and they relate to income taxes levied by the same tax authority on the same taxable entity or on different tax entities, but they intend to settle current tax liabilities and assets on a net basis or their tax assets liabilities will be realised simultaneously.

A deferred tax asset is recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the temporary difference can be utilised. Deferred tax is not recognised for the undistributed profits of subsidiaries as the Parent Company has control over the dividend policy of its subsidiaries and distribution of those profits. Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realised.

No deferred taxation is provided for Mobitel (Private) Limited due to the fact that the income taxes are computed and paid at 2% on revenue.

(iii) Economic Service Charge (ESC)

ESC is payable on the liable turnover at specified rates. As per the provision of the Economic Service Charge Act No. 13 of 2006 and subsequent amendments thereto, ESC is deductible from the income tax liability. Any unclaimed payment can be carried forward and set-off against the income tax payable as per the relevant provision in the Act.

(iv) Sales tax

Revenue, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of sale tax, except: where sales tax incurred on a purchase of assets or services is not recoverable from the taxation authority, in which case the sales tax is recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of the asset or as part of expense item as applicable.

(r) Earnings per share

The Group presents basic Earnings Per Share (EPS) data for its ordinary shares. Basic EPS is calculated by dividing the profit or loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.

Diluted EPS is determinated by adjusting the profit or loss attributable to ordinary shareholders and the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding for the effects of all dilutive potential ordinary shares.

(s) Insurance reserve

The Company transfers annually from the retained earnings an amount equal to 0.1% of additions to property, plant & equipment to an insurance reserve. An equal amount is invested in a sinking fund to meet any funding requirements for potential losses from uninsured property, plant & equipment. The insurance reserve is maintained to recover any losses arising from damage to property, plant & equipment, except for motor vehicles, that are not insured with a third-party insurer.

(t) Dividend distribution

Dividend distribution to the Company’s shareholders is recognised as a liability in the Group’s Financial Statements in the period in which the dividends are approved by the Company’s shareholders.

Provision for final dividends is recognised at the time the dividend recommended and declared by the Board of Directors, is approved by the shareholders.

(u) Comparatives

Except when a standard permits or requires otherwise, comparative information is disclosed in respect of the previous period. Where the presentation or classification of items in the Financial Statements are amended, comparative amounts are reclassified unless it is impracticable.

(v) Statement of Cash flow

The Cash Flow Statement has been prepared using the ‘indirect method’ of preparing cash flows in accordance with the Sri Lanka Accounting Standard LKAS 07 – ‘Statement of Cash Flows’. Cash and cash equivalents comprise short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value. The cash and cash equivalent include cash in hand, balances with banks, placements with banks, money at call and short notice.

(w) Events after the reporting period

All material events after the reporting date have been considered and where appropriate, adjustments or disclosures have been made in respective Notes to the Financial Statements.

(x) Directors’ Responsibility Statement

The Board of Directors of the Company is responsible for the preparation and presentation of these Financial Statements.

(y) Critical accounting estimates, assumptions and judgements

In the preparation of these Financial Statements, a number of estimates and assumptions have been made relating to the performance and the financial position of the Group. Results may differ significantly from those estimates under different assumptions and conditions. The Directors consider that the following discussion addresses the Company's most critical accounting policies, which are those that are most important to the presentation of its financial performance and position. These particular policies require subjective and complex judgements, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are uncertain.

(i) Depreciation of property, plant & equipment

The Company assigns useful lives and residual values to property, plant & equipment based on periodic studies of actual asset lives and the intended use for those assets. Changes in circumstances such as technological advances, prospective economic utilisation and physical condition of the assets concerned could result in the actual useful lives or residual values differing from initial estimates.

Where the Company determines that the useful life of property, plant & equipment should be shortened or residual value reduced, it depreciates the net carrying amount in excess of the residual value over the revised remaining useful life, thereby increasing depreciation expense. Any change in an asset's life or residual value is reflected in the Company's Financial Statements when the change in estimate is determined.

(ii) Impairment of property, plant & equipment and intangible assets

The Company assesses the impairment of property, plant & equipment and intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable or otherwise as required by accounting standards. Factors that are considered important and which could trigger an impairment review include the following:

  1. obsolescence or physical damage;
  2. significant changes in technology and regulatory environments;
  3. significant under performance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results;
  4. significant changes in the use of its assets or the strategy for its overall business.

The identification of impairment indicators, the estimation of future cash flows and the determination of the recoverable amount for assets or cash-generating units require significant judgement.

(iii) Revenue recognition

Judgement is required in assessing the application of the principles of revenue recognition in respect of revenues. This includes presentation of revenue as principal or as agent in respect of income received from transmission of content provided by third parties.

(iv) Valuation of receivables

The provision for impairment losses for trade and other receivables reflects the Company's estimates of losses arising from the failure or inability of customers to make required payments. The provision is based on the ageing of customer accounts, customer credit-worthiness and the Company’s historical write-off experience etc. Changes to the provision may be required if the financial condition of its customers improves or deteriorates. An improvement in financial condition may result in lower actual write-offs.

(z) New accounting standards issued but not effective as at reporting date

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka has issued the following new Sri Lanka Accounting Standards which will become applicable for the financial periods beginning on or after 1 January 2017. The following Accounting Standards have not been applied in preparing these Financial Statements and the Group plans to apply these standards on the respective effective dates.

New accounting standard Possible impact on the financial statements
SLFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers SLFRS 15 establishes a comprehensive framework for determining whether, how much and when revenue is recognised. It replaces existing revenue recognition guidance, including LKAS 18 Revenue, LKAS 11 Construction Contracts and IFRIC 13 Customer Loyalty Programmes. SLFRS 15 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018. The Group is still in the process of quantifying the implications of this standard, however we expect the following indicative impacts:

Under SLFRS 15, certain incremental costs incurred in acquiring a contract with a customer will be deferred on the balance sheet and amortised as revenue is recognised under the related contract; this will generally lead to the later recognition of charges for some commissions payable to third party dealers and employees.

  • Certain costs incurred in fulfilling customer contracts will be deferred on the balance sheet under SLFRS 15 and recognised as related revenue is recognised under the contract. Such deferred costs are likely to relate to the provision of deliverables to customers that do not qualify as performance obligations and for which revenue is not recognised; currently such costs are generally expensed as incurred.
  • Currently, the group defers only the material connection charges. The transition to SLFRS 15 will result in higher revenue being deferred and recognised on a straight-line basis over the average customer life time. Eg: Connection charges from Smartline, LTE & CDMA.
  • Under SLFRS 15, additional revenue will be allocated to all equipment and handsets with reference to the asset’s relative standalone value within the contract, regardless of contract pricing. As a result, on adoption of SLFRS 15, there will be an acceleration of revenue for these items, with a corresponding reduction in ongoing service revenue over the contract period. The difference between the revenue and the customer charge will be recognised as a contract asset – a receivable arising from secured cash flows – on the balance sheet; currently corresponding revenue in relation to devices given for free is not unbundled and recognised separately from the service components.
When SLFRS 15 is adopted, it can be applied either on a fully retrospective basis, requiring the restatement of the comparative periods presented in
the financial statements, or with the cumulative retrospective impact
of SLFRS 15 applied as an adjustment to equity on the date of adoption; when the latter approach is applied it is necessary to disclose the impact of SLFRS 15 on each line item in the Financial Statements in the reporting period. The Group currently intends to reflect the cumulative impact of SLFRS 15 in equity on the date of adoption. SLFRS 15 contains both quantitative and qualitative disclosure requirements for annual and interim periods. Under the new standard, the Group should disclose more information about its contracts with customers than is currently required under LkAS 18 Revenue, including but not limited to;
  • disaggregated information about revenue: Eg. Major product line such as PSTN, Broadband, Mobile & IPTV
  • assets recognised stemming from the costs to obtain or fulfil a contract with a customer: Eg. Commissions & subcontractors cost
  • contract balances such as contract asset (Eg. equipment and handsets given for free by SLT and Mobitel), contract liability (Deferred income)
  • significant judgments when applying the new standard such as timing of the satisfaction of performance obligation, method used for recognising revenue (i.e. output method)
SLFRS 9 – Financial Instruments SLFRS 9 replaces the existing guidance in LKAS 39 – Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. SLFRS 9 contains three principal classification categories for financial assets – i.e. measured at amortised cost, fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI) and fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL). The existing LKAS 39 categories of Held-to-maturity, Loans and receivables and Available-for-sale are removed. SLFRS 9 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Group does not expect significant impact on its Financial Statements resulting from the application of SLFRS 9.
SLFRS 16 – Leases SLFRS 16 introduces a single, on-balance lease sheet accounting model for lessees. A lessee recognises a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset and a lease liability representing its obligation to make lease payments. There are optional exemptions for short-term leases and leases of low value items. Lessor accounting remains similar to the current standard – i.e. lessors continue to classify leases as finance or operating leases. SLFRS 16 replaces existing leases guidance including
LKAS 17 Leases, IFRIC 4 Determining whether an Arrangement contains a Lease, SIC-15 Operating Leases Incentives and SIC-27 Evaluating the Substance of Transactions Involving the Legal Form of a Lease. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning
on or after 1 January 2019.
The Group is assessing the potential impact on its Financial Statements resulting from the application of SLFRS 16.

4 Financial Risk Management

The Board of Directors has overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of the Group’s risk management framework.

The Group’s risk management processes are established to identify and analyse the risks faced by the Group, to set appropriate risk limits and controls, and to monitor risks and adherence to limits. Risk management systems are reviewed regularly to reflect changes in market conditions and the Group activities.

The Audit Committee oversees how management monitors compliance with the Group’s risk management processes/guidelines and procedures, and reviews the adequacy of the risk management framework in relation to the risks. The Audit Committee is assisted in its oversight role by internal reviews of risk management controls and procedures. The results of which are reported to the Audit Committee.

The Group has exposure to the following risks from its use of financial instruments:

  • Credit risk
  • Liquidity risk
  • Market risk

This Note presents information about the Group’s exposure to each of the above risks, the Group’s objectives, policies and processes for measuring and managing risk and the Group’s management of capital. Further quantitative disclosures are included throughout these Financial Statements.

4.1 Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligation, and arise principally from the Group’s receivables from customers.

Carrying amount of financial assets represents the maximum credit exposure.

4.1.1 Trade receivables

The Group having a very well-established credit policy for both International Interconnect Customers and Domestic Customers to minimise the credit risk. A separate committee has been established to evaluate and recommend the credit worthiness for the International Interconnect Customer. Further, prepaid sales are used as a means of mitigating credit risk.

Domestic service is offered to a new customer only after scrutinising through a internal blacklisted data base. The Group has a well-established credit control policy and process to minimise the credit risk. Customers are categorised according to the segments and credit limit has been fixed as per their average monthly bill value. Customer usage and bill payments are monitored as per the credit limit. Credit limit will be periodically revised as per the past monthly bill value. High risk voice customers are subjected to auto disconnection when they reached the threshold limit. Credit control actions and recovery actions are taken for the overdue customers and defaulted customers to minimise the credit risk. High revenue-generated customers including corporate customers are monitored individually.

As at 31 December 2016, the maximum exposure to credit risk for trade by geographic region was as follows:

Group Company
Rs. million 2016 2015 2016 2015
Sri Lanka 18,278 15,802 12,853 11,880
Middle East 499 533 263 482
Asia 1,449 510 654 372
Europe 1,433 754 1,339 973
Australia 173 35 102 37
Other 161 451 125 151
Total trade receivables 21,993 18,085 15,336 13,895

As at 31 December 2016, the maximum exposure to credit risk for trade receivables by type of counterparty was as follows:

Group Company
Rs. million 2016 2015 2016 2015
Wholesale customers 4,390 5,120 3,795 4,388
Retail customers 14,439 10,751 10,945 8,043
Others 3,164 2,214 596 1,464
21,993 18,085 15,336 13,895

As at 31 December the Group’s most significant customer was Lanka Government Information Infrastructure (Private) Limited which accounted for Rs. 256 million of trade receivables (2015 – Rs. 320 million).

Impairment

As at 31 December 2016, the aging of trade receivables that were not impaired was as follows:

Group Company
Rs. million 2016 2015 2016 2015
Past due 1 year 104 131 25 29
Past due 2 years and above 51 4 51 2
155 135 76 31

Management believes that the unimpaired amounts that are past due more than 2 years are still collectible in full, based on historical payment behaviour and extensive analysis of customer credit risk.

The movement in the allowance for impairment in respect of trade receivables during the year is as follows:

Rs. million Group
impairment
Company
impairment
Balance as at 1 January 2015 6,560 5,077
  – Impairment loss recognised 1,177 865
  – Amounts written off (172) (162)
Balance as at December 2015 7,565 5,780
  – Impairment loss recognised 1,358 871
  – Amounts written off (1,254) (1,254)
Balance as at 31 December 2016 7,669 5,397

4.1.2 Other investments

The Group limits its exposure to credit risk by investing only in Government Debt Securities, Repos and in short-term deposits with selected bankers with Board approval.

4.1.3 Cash and cash equivalents

The Group held cash and cash equivalents of Rs. 6,682 million as at 31 December 2016 (2015 – Rs. 5,475 million).

4.1.4 Employee loans

The Group limits its exposure to credit risk by ensuring the loan balance are recovered from the employees monthly salary, or if the employee leaves such amounts are recovered from the employees’ EPF balance.

4.2 Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will encounter difficulty in meeting the obligations associated with its financial liabilities that are settled by delivering cash or another financial asset. The Group’s approach to managing liquidity is to ensure, as far as possible, that it will always have sufficient liquidity to meet its liabilities when due, under both normal and stressed conditions, without incurring unacceptable losses or risking damage to the Group’s reputation.

The Group ensures its liquidity is maintained by investing in short, medium and long-term financial instruments to support operational and other funding requirements. The Group determines its liquidity requirements by the use of both short and long-term cash forecasts. These forecasts are supplemented by a financial headroom analysis which is used to assess funding adequacy for at least a 12-month period and the same is reviewed on an annual basis.

Short and medium-term requirements are regularly reviewed and managed by the treasury division.

The following are the remaining contractual maturities of financial liabilities at the reporting date. The amounts are gross and undiscounted:

Rs. million Carrying
value
Up to 1
year
Up to 2
years
Up to 5
years
Over 5
years
Group
As at 31 December 2016
Bank overdrafts 7,298 7,298
Bank borrowings and others 21,883 8,136 6,948 6,799
Vendor financing 3,583 2,564 678 341
Lease liabilities 176 83 87 6
32,940 18,081 7,713 7,146
As at 31 December 2015
Bank overdrafts 855 855
Bank borrowings and others 16,857 4,972 4,014 7,871
Vendor financing 6,435 3,562 2,154 719
Lease liabilities 248 57 58 133
24,395 9,446 6,226 8,723
Rs. million Carrying
value
Up to 1
year
Up to 2
years
Up to 5
years
Over 5
years
Company
As at 31 December 2016
Bank overdrafts 6,548 6,548
Bank borrowings and others 21,862 8,115 6,948 6,799
Lease liabilities 125 63 62
28,535 14,726 7,010 6,799
As at 31 December 2015
Bank overdrafts 252 252
Bank borrowings and others 15,745 3,860 4,014 7,871
Lease liabilities 175 35 35 105
16,172 4,147 4,049 7,976

4.3 Market risk

Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as foreign exchange rates, interest rates and equity prices which will affect the Group’s income or the value of its holdings of financial instruments. The objective of market risk management is to manage and control market risk exposures within acceptable parameters, while optimising the return.

4.3.1 Currency risk

The Group is exposed to currency risk on services provided, services received and borrowings that are denominated in a currency other than the Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR).

The Group manages its currency risk by a natural hedging mechanism to a certain extent by matching currency outflows for repayments of foreign currency loans and services with currency inflows for services settled in foreign currencies.

The summary of quantitative data about the Group’s exposure to foreign currency was as follows:

Group
USD million
As at December 2016
Foreign trade receivables 26
Secured loans (24)
Unsecured loans (129)
Trade payables (11)
Net statement of financial position exposure (138)
As at December 2015
Foreign trade receivables 16
Secured loans (52)
Unsecured loans (109)
Trade payables (3)
Net statement of financial position exposure (148)
Company
USD million
As at December 2016
Foreign trade receivables 18
Secured loans
Unsecured loans (129)
Trade payables (4)
Net statement of financial position exposure (115)
As at December 2015
Foreign trade receivables 14
Secured loans
Unsecured loans (109)
Trade payables (1)
Net statement of financial position exposure (97)

The following significant exchange rates have been applied during the year:

Average rate Year end spot rate
Rs. 2016 2015 2016 2015
USD 145.60 136.16 149.75 144.06
EUR 161.16 150.55 157.93 157.32
Sensitivity analysis

A reasonable possible strengthening (weakening) USD would have an impact on the Group's borrowings. This analysis assumes that all other variables, in particular interest rates remain constant.

Profit or loss Balance sheet
Rs. million Strengthening Weakening Strengthening Weakening
Group
2016 December USD (10%) (2,543) 2,543 (2,543) 2,543
2015 December USD (10%) (2,325) 2,325 (2,325) 2,325
Company
2016 December USD (10%) (1,937) 1,937 (1,937) 1,937
2015 December USD (10%) (1,574) 1,574 (1,574) 1,574

4.3.2 Interest rate risk

Interest rate risk mainly arises as a result of Group having interest sensitive assets and liabilities, which are directly, impacted by changes in the interest rates. The Group’s borrowings and investments are maintained in a mix of fixed and variable interest rate instruments and periodical maturity gap analysis is carried out to take timely action and to mitigate possible adverse impact due to volatility of the interest rates.

To minimise the adverse impact of variable interest rate borrowings due to an upward movement of USD interest rates in the market, the Company has obtained an interest rate SWAP and arrangements are being made to obtain an interest rate CAP.

Short-term interest rate management is delegated to the treasury operations while long-term interest rate management decisions require approval from the Board
of Directors.

Interest rate sensitivity of the Company was computed within the floor interest rate (Minimum) of 2.5% as stipulated in the loan agreement. The Group interest rate sensitivity was computed based on a 100 basis point increase or decrease. This analysis assumes that all other variables, in particular, foreign currency exchange rates, remain constant. The sensitivity of interest rate movement is shown below:

Profit or loss
Rs. million Increase in interest rate Decrease in interest rate
Group
2016 December Variable rate instruments (115) 111
2015 December Variable rate instruments (96) 85
Company
2016 December Variable rate instruments (80) 75
2015 December Variable rate instruments (21) 10

4.4 Analysis of financial instruments

by measurement basis

Financial liabilities
Type of the Financial Instrument (2016) Note Fair value through
profit or loss
Other financial liabilities (Note 4.4.1)
Group/Company Group Company
Trade and other payables 25 28,040 19,209
Borrowings 22 32,940 28,535
Total 60,980 47,744
Type of the Financial Instrument (2015)
Trade and other payables 25 24,097 17,694
Borrowings 22 24,395 16,172
Total 48,492 33,866

4.4.1 These financial instruments are carried at amortised cost in the Financial Statements. The Company does not anticipate the fair value of these instruments to be significantly different to their carrying values and considers the impact as not material for disclosure.

4.5 Capital Management

The Board’s policy is to maintain a strong capital base so as to maintain investor, creditor and market confidence and to sustain future development of the business. Capital consists of stated capital and reserves. The Board of Directors monitors the return on capital as well as the level of dividends to ordinary shareholders.

The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital.

In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets to reduce debt.

The gearing ratios at 31 December 2016 and 2015 were as follows:

Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015
Total borrowings 32,940 24,395 28,535 16,172
Total equity 68,587 65,240 59,000 58,702
Total capital 101,527 89,635 87,535 74,874
Gearing ratio (%) 32.4 27.2 32.6 21.6

5 Operating Segments

The Group has three reportable segments, as described below, which are the Group's strategic divisions. The strategic divisions offer different products and services, and are managed separately because they require different technology and marketing strategies. For each of the strategic divisions, the Board of Directors, (the Chief Operating Decision Maker – CODM) reviews internal management reports on at least quarterly basis. The following summary describes the operations in each of the Group’s reportable segments:

  • Fixed ICT operations includes supply of fixed telecommunication services.
  • Mobile ICT operations includes supply of mobile telecommunication services.
  • Other segment operations includes Directory publication and support services. None of these segments meet the quantitative thresholds for determining reportable segments in 2016 or 2015.

Information regarding the results of each reportable segment is included below. Performance is measured based on segment profit before tax. As included in the internal management reports that are reviewed by the Board of Directors (BOD). Segment profit is used to measure performance as management believes that such information is the most relevant in evaluating the results of certain segments relative to other entities that operate within these industries.

Segmental reporting – For the year ended

31 December 2016

(All amounts in Sri Lanka rupees million)

Information about reportable segments

Fixed ICT operations Mobile ICT operations Other segments operations Total
2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015
External revenues 39,766 37,213 33,556 30,195 479 614 73,801 68,022
Inter-segment revenue 3,365 3,352 2,401 2,363 2,383 2,379 8,149 8,094
Reportable segment revenue 43,131 40,565 35,957 32,558 2,862 2,993 81,950 76,116
Reportable segment
Profit before tax 2,643 2,795 4,909 3,363 (206) 170 7,346 6,328
Interest revenue 448 486 529 332 35 26 1,012 844
Interest expenses (25) (30) (206) (228) (19) (12) (250) (270)
Depreciation and amortisation (8,736) (7,773) (5,581) (5,364) (83) (82) (14,400) (13,219)
Reportable segment assets 118,117 103,061 45,464 42,606 1,868 1,940 165,449 147,607
Capital expenditure 20,632 16,120 4,492 4,218 39 39 25,163 20,377
Reportable segment liabilities 59,117 44,359 22,335 22,936 1,617 1,462 83,069 68,757
2016 2015
Revenue
Total revenue for reportable segments 79,088 73,123
Revenue for other segments 2,862 2,993
Reportable segment revenue 81,950 76,116
Elimination of inter-segment revenue (8,149) (8,094)
Consolidated revenue 73,801 68,022
Profit or loss
Total profit or loss for reportable segments 7,552 6,158
Profit or loss for other segments (206) 170
Reportable segment profit before tax 7,346 6,328
Elimination of inter-segment profits (849) (813)
Consolidated profit before tax 6,497 5,515
Assets
Total assets for reportable segments 163,581 145,667
Assets for other segments 1,868 1,940
165,449 147,607
Elimination of inter-segment assets (22,539) (21,062)
Consolidated total assets 142,910 126,545
Liabilities
Total liabilities for reportable segments 81,452 67,295
Liabilities for other segment 1,617 1,462
83,069 68,757
Elimination of inter-segment liabilities (8,837) (7,452)
Consolidated total liabilities 74,232 61,305
Reportable
segment totals
Adjustments Consolidated
totals
Other material items (2016)
Interest revenue 1,012 1,012
Interest expense (250) (250)
Capital expenditure 25,163 25,163
Depreciation and amortisation (14,400) (14,400)
Other material items (2015)
Interest revenue 844 844
Interest expense (270) (270)
Capital expenditure 20,377 20,377
Depreciation and amortisation (13,219) (13,219)

6 Revenue

The significant categories under which revenue is recognised are as follows:

Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015
Release of deferred connection charges 480 529 480 529
Rental income 6,746 6,580 5,000 4,959
Domestic call revenue 24,585 23,102 4,684 4,738
Receipts from other network operators – Domestic 1,802 1,874 683 729
International call revenue 1,477 2,250 563 776
Receipts from other network operators – International 100 102 2
International settlements (in-payments) 10,233 9,765 7,162 6,677
CDMA revenue 1,075 1,290 1,075 1,290
Broadband revenue 12,753 11,351 7,235 6,913
Data and other services 14,550 11,179 16,249 13,952
73,801 68,022 43,131 40,565

7 Operating Costs

The following items have been included in arriving at operating profit before depreciation and amortisation:

Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015
Staff costs (Note 7.1) 17,398 15,557 12,232 11,014
Directors’ emoluments 31 21 18 19
Payments to international network operators 1,515 1,444 1,515 1,444
Payments to other network operators
  – International 2,051 2,953 1,827 2,209
  – Domestic 2,507 2,107 847 786
International Telecommunication Operators Levy 2,807 1,861 1,599 1,052
Auditors’ remuneration
Audit
  – KPMG 12 11 11 9
  – Other Auditors 5 4
Non-audit
  – KPMG 5 7 5 7
  – Other Auditors 10 4 10 4
Repairs and maintenance expenditure 4,387 3,871 3,142 3,054
Provision for doubtful debts 1,417 1,188 912 882
Impairments/(reversals) of inventory 273 201 273 201
Impairment of property, plant & equipment (Note 13) 137 886 137 190
Other operating expenditure 21,120 17,899 10,700 9,550
53,675 48,014 33,228 30,421

7.1 Staff costs

Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015
Salaries, wages, allowances and other benefits 15,456 13,746 10,727 9,612
Post-employment benefits
  – Defined contribution plans 1,259 1,177 941 875
  – Defined benefit obligations (Note 26) 683 634 564 527
17,398 15,557 12,232 11,014
Average number of persons employed 9,775 9,972 5,734 5,756

8 Refunds on Telecommunication Development Charge (TDC)

In accordance with the Finance Act No. 11 of 2004, all Telecommunication Gateway Operators are required to pay a levy defined as the Telecommunication Development Charge (TDC) to the Government of Sri Lanka, based on international call minutes terminated in the country. This levy was made effective from 3 March 2003, where initially the levy was defined in such a way that operators were allowed to claim the 2/3rd of the TDC against the costs of network development charges.

The TDC refund received in 2014 corresponds to the period from April 2009 to July 2010 which was the last claim obtained under the respective regulation. As the said regulation was received with effect from July 2010 while eliminating the reimbursement process, the final claim requested from TRC applicable for the above period was received on year 2014.

First revision to this regulation was introduced with effect from 15 July 2010 with an International Telecommunication Operators Levy (ITOL) TDC rate change from USD cents 3.80 to USD cents 1.50. Through the same revision, the disbursement process of TDC was removed from the regulation. As stated above the revised ITOL rate prevailed until such time the rate was revised to USD cents 3.00 per minute with effect from January 2012, in accordance with the Budget Proposal for 2012 and ITOL rate was further revised again to USD cents 6.00 per minute with effect from January 2016 in accordance with the Budget Proposal for 2016.

Mobitel Private Limited Recognises Telecommunications Development Charge (TDC) in Profit or Loss on a straight-line Basis over 10 years, as disclosed in Note 34.

9 Interest Expense and Finance Costs

Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015
Rupee loans [see Note (a) below] 165 3 148
Foreign currency loans [see Note (a) below] 1,010 975 812 760
Other charges [see Note (b) below] 314 52 304 30
Total interest and finance cost 1,489 1,030 1,264 790
Interest capitalised (1,239) (760) (1,239) (760)
Net total interest and finance cost 250 270 25 30
(a) Interest cost of the Company relates to the USD loans and Rupee loans. Interest cost of the Group relates to rupee loans, USD loans and vendor financing. (b) Other charges mainly include interest cost of finance leases and overdraft facilities.

9. a Foreign exchange (loss)/gain

Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015
Net foreign exchange (loss)/gain (979) (2,128) (570) (916)
(a) Foreign currency (loss) or gain of the Company mainly includes
  1. Exchange gain of Rs. 132 million (2015 – Rs. 385 million) arising from revaluation of receivables, fixed deposits and bank balances maintained in USD.
  2. Exchange loss of Rs. 702 million (2015 – Rs. 1,301 million) arising from revaluation of USD syndicate loan.
(b) Foreign currency (loss) or gain of the Group mainly includes
  1. Exchange gain of Rs. 139 million (2015 – of Rs. 400 million) arising from revaluation of the receivables, fixed deposits and bank balances maintained in USD.
  2. Exchange loss of Rs. 147 million on payment to foreign suppliers (2015 – Rs. 418 million).
  3. Exchange loss of Rs. 971 million (2015 – Rs. 2,110 million) arising from revaluation of USD syndicate loan and other term loans.

10 Interest Income

Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015
Interest income from
  Treasury Bills 1
  Repurchase agreement – Repos 527 375 13 48
  Fixed deposits 98 172 52 141
  Staff loan interest 386 297 383 297
1,012 844 448 486

The interest income on bank deposits reflect the prevailing rates on the date of respective investments.

  1. The weighted average interest rates on restricted funds in bank deposits and Government Securities in LKR were 9.07% and 7.12% (2015 – 7.06% and 6.07%) and USD was 2.76% (2015 – 3.16%).
  2. The weighted average interest rates on investments in Government Securities were 6.16 % (2015 – 5.83%).
  3. The weighted average interest rates on staff loans are between 12% and 14% (2015 – 12% and 14%).
  4. According to the Section 137 of the Inland Revenue Act No. 10 of 2006, any person who derives income from the secondary market transactions in Government Securities is entitled to a notional tax credit in relation to the tax payable by such a person. Notional tax credit would be determined by grossing up of the income from the secondary market transactions to an amount equal to 1/9th. Accordingly, Company has accounted for Rs. 1 million as notional tax credit for the year 2016 (2015 – Rs. 3 million). The Group has accounted for Rs. 1 million as notional tax credit for the year 2016 (2015 – Rs. 3 million).

11 Income Tax Expenses

Tax recognised in statement of profit or loss

Current tax expense Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015
Current year 881 987 75 275
881 987 75 275
Deferred tax expense
Origination and reversal of temporary differences (Note 23) 826 804 843 792
826 804 843 792
Tax expense 1,707 1,791 918 1,067

Tax recognised in other comprehensive income – Group

2016 2015
Before
tax
Tax (expense)
benefit
Net of
tax
Before
tax
Tax (expense)
benefit
Net of
tax
Defined benefit plan actuarial (loss)/gain 233 (70) 163 (8) (1) (9)
233 (70) 163 (8) (1) (9)

Tax recognised in other comprehensive income – Company

2016 2015
Before
tax
Tax (expense)
benefit
Net of
tax
Before
tax
Tax (expense)
benefit
Net of
tax
Defined benefit plan actuarial (loss)/gain 249 (70) 179 4 (1) 3
249 (70) 179 4 (1) 3
Reconciliation of effective tax rate Group/2016 Group/2015
% %
Profit before tax 6,497 5,515
Tax using the Company’s domestic tax rate 28.00 1,819 28.00 1,544
Effect of different tax rates [Notes (a) and (b) below] -8.93 (580) -5.44 (300)
Non-deductible expenses 11.84 769 14.16 781
Income not subject to tax -4.65 (301) -4.24 (234)
26.26 1,707 32.48 1,791
Reconciliation of effective tax rate Company/2016 Company/2015
% %
Profit before tax 2,643 2,795
Tax using the Company’s domestic tax rate 28.00 740 28.00 783
Non-deductible expenses 17.52 463 18.75 524
Income not subject to tax -10.78 (285) -8.59 (240)
34.74 918 38.16 1,067

Current income tax charge of the Group/Company is made up as follows:

Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015
Sri Lanka Telecom PLC 75 275 75 275
Mobitel (Private) Limited 800 638
Sri Lanka Telecom (Services) Limited 2
SLT Human Capital Solutions (Private) Limited 4 2
SLT Publications (Private) Limited 68
SLT VisionCom (Private) Limited 2 2
Sky Network (Private) Limited
SLT Property Management (Private) Limited
SLT Campus (Private) Limited
881 987 75 275
(a) Pursuant to agreements dated 15 January 1993 and 26 February 2001, entered into with the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka under Section 17 of the Board of Investment Act No. 4 of 1978, 15 years tax exemption period granted to Mobitel (Private) Limited expired on 30 June 2009 and as per the agreement, Mobitel (Private) Limited opted for the turnover based tax option in which 2% was charged on the turnover for a further period of 15 years commencing from 1 July 2009. (b) As per the amendment to Inland Revenue Act No. 22 of 2011, for the year of assessment 2015/16, SLT Human Capital Solutions (Private) Limited is liable for income taxes at the rate of 10% on their taxable income. (c) As per the agreement with the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) dated 19 November 2009, under Section 17 of BOI Act No. 4 of 1978, the Sky Network (Private) Limited is exempt from income tax for a period of 6 years. For the above purpose, the year of assessment shall be reckoned from the year in which the Company commences to make profits or any year of assessment not later than two years reckoned from the date on which the Company commences commercial operation, whichever is earlier as may be specified in a certificate issued by the Board. In view of the above, the Company is not liable to income tax on business profit.

12 Earnings per Share

The basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the net profit attributable to equity holders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year.

Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015
Net profit attributable to equity holders (Rs. million) 4,790 3,724 1,725 1,728
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue (million) 1,805 1,805 1,805 1,805
Basic earnings per share (Rs.) 2.65 2.06 0.96 0.96

Diluted EPS is the same as computed above, as the Company does not have any instrument that will potentially dilute the shareholdings.

13 Property, Plant & Equipment

Group Freehold
land
Freehold
buildings
Ducts, cables
and other
outside plant
Telephone
exchanges
Transmission
equipment
Other fixed
assets
Capital
work-in-
progress
Total
Cost
As at 1 January 2015 357 3,079 91,524 22,020 72,371 35,365 18,785 243,501
Additions 685 50 1,912 1,859 17,300 21,806
Transfers from capital work-in-progress 224 3,213 666 2,493 1,324 (7,920)
Disposals (103) (96) (80) (103) (382)
Adjustments
As at 31 December 2015 357 3,303 95,319 22,640 76,696 38,445 28,165 264,925
Accumulated depreciation
As at 1 January 2015 (1,831) (71,858) (16,052) (35,231) (27,594) (152,566)
Disposals 103 97 74 103 377
Impairment loss (696) (190) (886)
Depreciation charge (99) (3,008) (1,023) (5,718) (2,719) (12,567)
As at 31 December 2015 (1,930) (74,763) (16,978) (41,571) (30,400) (165,642)
Carrying value as at 31 December 2015 357 1,373 20,556 5,662 35,125 8,045 28,165 99,283
Group Freehold
land
Freehold
buildings
Ducts, cables
and other
outside plant
Telephone
exchanges
Transmission
equipment
Other fixed
assets
Capital
work-in-
progress
Total
Cost
As at 1 January 2016 357 3,303 95,319 22,640 76,696 38,445 28,165 264,925
Additions at cost 416 33 34 2,231 20,571 23,285
Transfers from capital work-in-progress 193 9,051 3,966 5,211 10,288 (28,709)
Disposals (184) (65) (80) (329)
As at 31 December 2016 357 3,496 104,602 26,639 81,876 50,884 20,027 287,881
Accumulated depreciation
As at 1 January 2016 (1,930) (74,763) (16,978) (41,571) (30,400) (165,642)
Disposals 181 64 78 323
Impairment loss (1) (9) (83) (44) (137)
Depreciation charge (95) (3,141) (1,340) (6,008) (3,192) (13,776)
As at 31 December 2016 (2,026) (77,732) (18,401) (47,515) (33,558) (179,232)
Carrying value as at 31 December 2016 357 1,470 26,870 8,238 34,361 17,326 20,027 108,649
Company Freehold
land
Freehold
buildings
Ducts, cables
and other
outside plant
Telephone
exchanges
Transmission
equipment
Other fixed assets Capita
l work-in-
progress
Total
Cost
As at 1 January 2015 357 3,052 90,752 22,042 23,058 33,282 18,235 190,778
Additions at cost 685 50 111 1,526 15,208 17,580
Transfers from capital work-in-progress 224 3,213 666 1,275 1,324 (6,702)
Disposals (103) (96) (14) (49) (262)
Adjustments
As at 31 December 2015 357 3,276 94,547 22,662 24,430 36,083 26,741 208,096
Accumulated depreciation
As at 1 January 2015 (1,831) (71,280) (16,077) (15,071) (26,298) (130,557)
Disposals 103 96 8 49 256
Impairment loss (190) (190)
Depreciation charge (99) (2,944) (1,023) (1,063) (2,395) (7,524)
As at 31 December 2015 (1,930) (74,121) (17,004) (16,126) (28,834) (138,015)
Carrying value as at 31 December 2015 357 1,346 20,426 5,658 8,304 7,249 26,741 70,081
Company Freehold
land
Freehold
buildings
Ducts, cables
and other
outside plant
Telephone
exchanges
Transmission
equipment
Other fixed assets Capital
work-in-
progress
Total
Cost
As at 1 January 2016 357 3,276 94,547 22,662 24,430 36,083 26,741 208,096
Additions at cost 416 33 34 1,827 17,781 20,091
Transfers from capital work-in-progress 193 9,051 3,966 2,552 10,031 (25,793)
Disposals (184) (16) (200)
As at 31 December 2016 357 3,469 103,830 26,661 27,016 47,925 18,729 227,987
Accumulated depreciation
As at 1 January 2016 (1,930) (74,121) (17,004) (16,126) (28,834) (138,015)
Accumulated depreciation on disposals 182 16 198
Impairment loss (1) (9) (83) (44) (137)
Depreciation charge (95) (3,079) (1,340) (1,173) (2,822) (8,509)
As at 31 December 2016 (2,026) (77,027) (18,427) (17,299) (31,684) (146,463)
Carrying value as at 31 December 2016 357 1,443 26,803 8,234 9,717 16,241 18,729 81,524
  1. On 1 September 1991, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) transferred its entire telecommunications business and related assets and liabilities to SLT. A valuation of the assets and liabilities transferred to SLT was performed by the Government of Sri Lanka. The net amount of those assets and liabilities represents SLT’s Contributed Capital on incorporation and the value of property, plant & equipment as determined by the Government of Sri Lanka. Valuers were used to determine the opening cost of fixed assets on 1 September 1991 in the first statutory accounts of SLT. Further, SLT was converted into a public limited company, Sri Lanka Telecom Limited (SLTL), on 25 September 1996 and on that date, all of the business and the related assets and liabilities of SLT were transferred to SLTL as part of the privatisation process.
  2. The cost of fully-depreciated assets still in use in the Company as at 31 December 2016 was Rs. 51,686 million (2015 – Rs. 53,843 million). The cost of fully depreciated assets still in use in the Group as at 31 December 2016 was Rs. 57,367 million (2015 – Rs. 55,005 million).
  3. No assets have been mortgaged or pledged as security for borrowings of the Group.
  4. The Directors believe, pertaining to lands and buildings which were vested from the corporation to the Company, that the Company has freehold title to land and buildings transferred at incorporation of the Company (to take over the assets and liabilities of the Corporation at the Conversion of SLT into a public limited company on 25 September 1996), by operation of law, although no specific title documents are available for each of such lands. The Company has initiated a process to obtain a title document from the Government authorities, in order to confirm the list of lands so vested with the Company.
  5. The property, plant & equipment is not insured except for buildings and equipment situated at SLT headquarters and Welikada premises. Further, all the motor vehicles have been insured. An insurance reserve has been created together with a sinking fund investment to meet any potential losses with regard to uninsured property, plant & equipment. At the reporting date, the insurance reserve amounted to Rs. 680 million (2015 – Rs. 605 million) (Note 27).
  6. Impairment of assets of Company mainly consists of the carrying value of IPTV CPE Rs. 44 million (2015 – Rs. 50 million), Next Generation Network (NGN) Rs. 83 million (2015 – Nil) and building Rs. 1 million (2015 – Nil) were impaired due to the floods as well as the explosion at the Salawa army camp. Impairment provision for pay phones Rs. 9 million (2015 – Nil) and IPTV Equipment and Switches NIL (2015 – Rs. 140 million). Impairment of assets of Group mainly consists of carrying value of IPTV CPE Rs. 44 million ( 2015 – Rs. 50 million), Next Generation Network (NGN) Rs. 83 million (2015 – Nil), Building Rs. 1 million (2015 – Nil). Impairment of Network assets Nil (2015 – Rs. 696 million), pay phones Rs. 9 million (2015 – Nil) and IPTV Equipment and Switches NIL (2015 – Rs. 140 million).
  7. The Company capitalised borrowing costs amounting to Rs. 1,239 million during the year (2015 – Rs. 760 million). Borrowing cost capitalised from a Group perspective amounted to Rs. 1,239 million (2015 – Rs. 760 million).
  8. The property, plant & equipment includes assets acquired under finance leases, the net book value of which is made up as follows:
Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015
Cost 557 557 440 440
Accumulated depreciation (423) (358) (349) (302)
Carrying value 134 199 91 138

(i) Property, plant & equipment include submarine cables. The total cost and accumulated depreciation of all cables under this category are as follows:

Group/Company
2016 2015
Cost 11,189 6,640
Accumulated depreciation as at 1 January (5,045) (4,887)
Depreciation charge for the year (152) (158)
Carrying amount 5,992 1,595

14 Intangible Assets

Group

Goodwill Licences Software Others Total
Cost
Balance as at 1 January 2015 394 4,061 2,775 330 7,560
– Acquisitions 37 37
Balance as at 31 December 2015 394 4,061 2,775 367 7,597
Balance as at 1 January 2016 394 4,061 2,775 367 7,597
– Acquisitions 410 22 813 118 1,363
Balance as at 31 December 2016 804 4,083 3,588 485 8,960
Accumulated amortisation
Balance as at 1 January 2015 253 1,279 2,286 330 4,148
– Amortisation 380 178 558
Balance as at 31 December 2015 253 1,659 2,464 330 4,706
Balance as at 1 January 2016 253 1,659 2,464 330 4,706
– Amortisation 381 157 3 541
Balance as at 31 December 2016 253 2,040 2,621 333 5,247
Carrying Amounts
December 2016 551 2,043 967 152 3,713
December 2015 141 2,402 311 37 2,891

The goodwill in the Group consists of goodwill arising on acquisition of Mobitel (Private) Limited and eChannelling PLC.

Goodwill is allocated to the Group’s Cash-Generating Units (CGUs). A summary of the goodwill allocation is presented below:

2016
%
2015
%
Mobitel (Private) Limited 141 141
eChannelling PLC 410
Total 551 141

The recoverable amount of a CGU is determined based on value-in-use calculations. These calculations use pre-tax cash flow projections, based on financial budgets approved by management covering a five-year period. Cash flows beyond the five-year period are extrapolated using the estimated growth rates stated below. The growth rate does not exceed the long-term average growth rate for the business in which the CGU operates.

The key assumptions used for value-in-use calculations are as follows:

2016
%
2015
%
Growth rate 8-10 6-9
Discount rate 12 10

Management determined budgeted gross margin based on past performance and its expectations of market development. The weighted average growth rates used are consistent with the forecasts included in industry reports. The discount rates used are pre-tax and reflect specific risks relating to the relevant operating segments. No impairment charge has been recognised for the year ended 31 December 2016 for the above CGU (2015 – Nil).

Company

Licences Software Others Total
Cost
Balance as at 1 January 2015 1,430 1,698 330 3,458
– Acquisitions 7 7
Balance as at 31 December 2015 1,430 1,705 330 3,465
Balance as at 1 January 2016 1,430 1,705 330 3,465
Acquisitions 22 22
Balance as at 31 December 2016 1,430 1,727 330 3,487
Accumulated amortisation
Balance as at 1 January 2015 318 1,484 330 2,132
– Amortisation 142 107 249
Balance as at 31 December 2015 460 1,591 330 2,381
Balance as at 1 January 2016 460 1,591 330 2,381
– Amortisation 143 84 227
Balance as at 31 December 2016 603 1,675 330 2,608
Carrying amounts
December 2016 827 52 879
December 2015 970 114 1,084

15 Financial Prepayments

Group
2016 2015
As at 1 January 1,097 1,097
Acquired/Incurred during the period
As at 31 December 1,097 1,097
Amortisation
As at 1 January 1,014 920
Amortisation for the year 83 94
As at 31 December 1,097 1,014
Carrying amount – Current 83
Carrying amount – Non-current
As at 31 December 83

16 Investments in Subsidiaries

2016 2015
Opening net book amount 14,220 14,189
Impairment of investment
Additions 31
Closing net book amount 14,220 14,220

Details of the subsidiary companies in which the Company had control as at 31 December are set out below:

2016 2015
Name of the Company Investment
Rs. million
Company
holding %
Investment
Rs. million
Company
holding %
Mobitel (Private) Limited [See Note (b) below] 13,980 100 13,980 100
SLT VisionCom (Private) Limited [See Note (e) below] 100 100 100 100
SLT Publications (Private) Limited [See Note (c) below] 50 100 50 100
Sri Lanka Telecom (Services) Limited [See Note (a) below] 25 99.99 25 99.99
SLT Human Capital Solutions (Private) Limited [See Note (d) below] 1 100 1 100
Sky Network (Private) Limited [See Note (f) below] 99.94 99.94
SLT Property Management (Private) Limited [See Note (g) below] 14 100 14 100
SLT Campus (Private) Limited [See Note (h) below] 50 100 50 100
14,220 14,220
Sub-subsidiaries
eChannelling PLC [see Note (i) below] 642 87.59

The Directors believe that the fair value of each of the companies listed above do not differ significantly from their book values.

  1. This investment in subsidiary company consists of 2,500,000 shares representing 99.99% of stated capital of Sri Lanka Telecom (Services) Limited.
  2. The Company owns 1,320,013,240 shares representing 100% of the entire ordinary share capital of Mobitel (Private) Limited.
  3. This investment in subsidiary company consists of 5,000,000 shares representing the entire stated capital of SLT Publications (Private) Limited.
  4. This investment in subsidiary company consists of 50,000 shares representing the entire stated capital of SLT Human Capital Solutions (Private) Limited.
  5. This investment in subsidiary company consists of 10,000,000 shares representing the entire stated capital of SLT VisionCom (Private) Limited.
  6. This investment in subsidiary company consists of 42,071,251 shares representing a 99.94% holding of the issued stated capital and 6,000,000 12% cumulative and redeemable preference shares of Sky Network (Private) Limited. The investment is fully impaired.
  7. This investment in subsidiary Company consists of 1,500,001 shares representing the entire stated capital of SLT Property Management (Private) Limited.
  8. This investment in subsidiary company consists of 5,000,001 shares representing the entire stated capital of SLT Campus (Private) Limited.
  9. This investment in subsidiary Company consists of 106,974,618 shares representing the 87.59% holding of the issued Share Capital of eChannelling PLC.

All the subsidiaries except for Mobitel (Private) Limited are audited by KPMG.

16.1 Acquisition of subsidiary

On 14 September 2016 Mobitel (Private) Limited acquired 87.59% shares of eChannelling PLC through a voluntary offer for a total cash consideration of Rs. 641.85 million.

eChannelling PLC is consolidated as a subsidiary for the financial year ended 31 December 2016.

(a) Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed

The following table summarises the recognised amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition.

Note
Rs. million
Assets
Property, plant & equipment 11.90
Intangible assets 121.34
Inventories 0.39
Trade and other receivables 34.22
Short-term investments 167.66
Investment in equity shares 2.02
Cash in hand and at bank 32.34
Total assets 369.87
Liabilities
Employee benefit obligation 4.52
Deferred tax liability 0.65
Trade and other payables 34.18
Amounts due to related parties 3.56
Other current liabilities 4.52
Total liabilities 47.43
Total identifiable net assets at fair value 322.44

(b) Measurement of fair values

The valuation techniques used for measuring the fair value of material assets acquired were as follows:

Assets acquired Valuation techniques
Property, plant & equipment Market value
Intangible assets Market value
Short-term investments Market value

(c) Goodwill

Goodwill arising from the acquisition has been recognised
as follows:

Costs of the acquisition 732
Less: Fair value of identifiable net assets 322
Goodwill 410

17 Other Investments

Current investments

Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015
Fixed deposits/Repo 762 1,043 705 641
Investment in equity shares 2
764 1,043 705 641

Fixed deposits and Repo are classified as loans and receivables and measured at amortised cost. Fixed deposits and Repo with a carrying value of Rs. 705 million (2015 – Rs. 618 million) are restricted at bank.

Investment in equity shares comprises of investment made by eChanelling PLC in other companies.

Interest rates of other investments are as follows:

Group Company
2016
%
2015
%
2016
%
2015
%
Fixed deposits – Restricted at bank 9.07 7.06 9.07 7.06
Repurchase agreement – Restricted at bank 7.12 6.07 7.12 6.07
Fixed deposits – LKR 10.00-12.00 6.00-7.00 Nil Nil
Fixed deposits – USD 2.00-2.76 2.00-3.16 2.76 3.16
Repurchase agreement – Repo 6.00-10.75 4.00-7.00 6.16 5.83

The Group’s exposure to credit and market risk and fair value information related to other investment are disclosed in
Note 4.

18 Other Receivables

Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015
Non-current 3,033 2,908 3,021 2,908
Current 701 719 700 711
3,734 3,627 3,721 3,619
Employee loans 3,247 3,096 3,234 3,088
Prepaid staff cost 487 531 487 531
3,734 3,627 3,721 3,619
Prepaid staff cost 1 January 531 537 531 537
Additions 199 138 199 138
Amortisation (243) (144) (243) (144)
Prepaid staff cost at 31 December 487 531 487 531

The Group provides loans to employees at concessionary rates. These employee loans are fair valued at initial recognition using Level 2 inputs. The fair value of the employee loans are determined by discounting expected future cash flows using market-related rates for similar loans.

The difference between the cost and fair value of employee loans is recognised as prepaid staff cost.

The employee loans are classified as loans and receivable and subsequently measured at amortised cost.

19 Inventories

Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015
CDMA equipment 69 406 69 406
Cable and networks 468 577 468 577
Other consumables 2,118 591 1,594 238
2,655 1,574 2,131 1,221
Provision for change in carrying value of inventories (1,070) (700) (985) (660)
1,585 874 1,146 561

(a) Inventories include telecommunication hardware, CDMA handsets, consumables and office stationery. Inventory is stated net of provisions for slow-moving and obsolete items.

20 Trade and Other Receivables

Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015
Domestic trade receivables 18,265 15,802 12,840 11,880
Foreign trade receivables 3,728 2,283 2,496 2,015
21,993 18,085 15,336 13,895
Less: Provision for bad and doubtful receivables (7,669) (7,565) (5,397) (5,780)
Less: Interest/revenue in suspense (19) (19)
Trade receivables – Net 14,305 10,501 9,939 8,115
Amount due from subsidiaries [Note 33. 1 (k)] 4,441 3,821
Amount due from related companies [Note 33.2 (b)] 103 67 103 67
Advances and prepayments [See Note (a) below] 1,833 1,726 610 258
Employee loans (Note 18) 701 719 700 711
Other receivables [See Note (b) below] 1,345 1,020 369 119
Amounts due within one year 18,287 14,033 16,162 13,091
  1. Advances and prepayments of the Company mainly consist of advances on building rent of Rs. 9 million (2015 – Rs. 8 million), payments for software maintenance of Rs. 457 million (2015 – Rs. 181 million), Prepaid Frequency charges Rs. 70 million (2015 – Rs. 51 million), Advances and prepayments of the Group mainly consist of advances on building and tower rent of Rs. 142 million (2015 – Rs. 152 million), payments for software maintenance of Rs. 457 million (2015 – Rs. 181 million), Prepaid TRC Frequency Rs. 286 million (2015 – Rs. 953 million) and current portion of financial prepayment Rs. 83 million (2015 – Rs. 83 million).
  2. Other receivables of the Company consist of refundable deposits of Rs. 132 million (2015 – Rs. 113 million). Other receivables of the Group mainly consist of refundable deposits of Rs. 132 million (2015 – Rs. 113 million), receivables from sales agents Rs. 127 million (2015 – Rs. 96 million) and site rentals receivables from other operator. Rs. 457 million (2015 – Rs. 492 million).

21 Cash and Cash Equivalents

Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015
Cash at bank and in hand 909 389 314 37
Call deposits 438 438
Fixed deposits 244 9
Repurchase agreements – Repo 5,529 4,639
6,682 5,475 314 475

21 a. For cash flow purpose

Cash and cash equivalents

Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015
Cash and cash equivalents 6,682 5,475 314 475
Bank overdrafts (7,298) (855) (6,548) (252)
(616) 4,620 (6,234) 223

22 Borrowings

Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015
Current (due within one year)
Bank overdrafts 7,298 855 6,548 252
Bank borrowings and others [See Note 22 (e) below] 8,136 4,972 8,115 3,860
Vendor financing 2,564 3,562
Lease liabilities 83 57 63 35
18,081 9,446 14,726 4,147
Non-current (due after one year)
Bank borrowings and others [See Note 22 (e) below] 13,747 11,885 13,747 11,885
Vendor financing 1,019 2,873
Lease liabilities 93 191 62 140
14,859 14,949 13,809 12,025
Total borrowings 32,940 24,395 28,535 16,172

(a) The interest rate exposure of the borrowings of the Group and the Company were as follows:

Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015
Total borrowings
  – At fixed rates 18,774 13,359 18,726 13,291
  – At floating rates 14,166 11,036 9,809 2,881
32,940 24,395 28,535 16,172

The currency exposure of the borrowings of the Group and the Company as at the reporting date were as follows:

Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015
Foreign currency 22,950 23,267 19,367 15,745
Local currency 9,990 1,128 9,168 427
32,940 24,395 28,535 16,172

(b) Effective interest rates of the Group and the Company are as follows:

Group Company
2016
%
2015
%
2016
%
2015
%
Average effective interest rates:
  – Bank overdrafts 10.00 – 13.23 6.39 – 10.00 11.37 6.39
  – Bank borrowings (USD loan) 1.24 – 4.22 4.86 4.22 4.86
  – Bank borrowings 7.65 – 10.93 7.65 – 8.25 10.93
  – Lease liabilities 8.00 – 16.00 8.00 – 16.00 8.00 – 10.00 8.00 – 10.00
  – Vendor financing 3.21 – 3.81 2.3 – 4.33

(c) Maturity analysis of the Group and the Company is as follows:

Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015
Maturity of non-current borrowings: (excluding finance lease liabilities)
 – Between 1 and 2 years 7,626 6,168 6,948 4,014
 – Between 3 and 5 years 7,140 8,590 6,799 7,871
14,766 14,758 13,747 11,885

(d) Analysis of the finance lease liabilities of the Group and the Company as follows:

Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015
Finance lease liabilities – minimum lease payments
  – Not later than 1 year 103 108 74 79
  – Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years 99 191 67 128
202 299 141 207
Less: future finance charges on finance leases (26) (51) (16) (32)
Present value of finance lease liabilities 176 248 125 175
Representing lease liabilities:
  – Current 83 57 63 35
  – Non-current 93 191 62 140
  1. During the year, the Company drew down USD 45 million (equivalent to Rs. 6,524 million) from the term loan of USD 75 million.
  2. The loan covenants include submission of Audited Financial Statements to the lenders within a specified period from the financial year end, maintenance of covenant ratios and to maintain adequate accounting records in accordance with Sri Lanka Accounting Standards.
  3. The Directors believe that the Company and the Group will have sufficient funds available to meet its present loan commitments.
  4. Lease liabilities of the Company and the Group are effectively secured by the lessor against the rights to the title of the asset.
  5. Bank borrowings and supplier credits of Mobitel (Private) Limited, a subsidiary of the Company, are secured, inter alia, by corporate guarantees given by the Company.
  6. Mobitel (Private) Limited has borrowed Rs. 481 million during the year for the purpose of Capital Expansion Projects.
  7. Guarantee facilities amounting to Rs. 26 million (2015 – Rs. 26 million) were provided to Sri Lanka Telecom (Services) Limited to obtain facilities for working capital requirements.

23 Deferred Income Tax Liabilities and Assets

Recognised deferred income tax (assets) and liabilities

Deferred income tax (assets) and liabilities are calculated on all taxable and deductible temporary differences arising from differences between accounting bases and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred income tax is provided under the liability method using the principal tax rate of 28% (for the year 2015 – 28%).

The movement in the deferred income tax account is as follows:

Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015
At beginning of the year 3,563 2,759 3,594 2,801
Release to Statement of Comprehensive Income (Note 11) 826 804 843 792
Release to Statement of Other Comprehensive Income (Note 11) 70 1 70 1
(Over)/under provision of DT relevant to previous years
At end of year 4,466 3,563 4,507 3,594

The amounts shown in the Statement of Financial Position represents the following:

Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015
Deferred tax liabilities 4,517 3,600 4,507 3,594
Deferred tax assets (51) (37)
4,466 3,563 4,507 3,594
The taxable and deductible temporary differences mainly arise from property, plant & equipment, deferred income, provision for defined benefit obligations and other provisions. Deferred tax assets and liabilities of the Group are attributable to the following:
Group Assets Liabilities ; Net
2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015
Property, plant & equipment 10,012 7,626 10,012 7,626
Defined benefit obligations (982) (1,096) (982) (1,096)
Provisions (2,094) (2,181) (2,094) (2,181)
Deferred income (771) (786) (771) (786)
Tax losses (1,706) (1,706)
Tax (assets) liabilities before set-off (5,546) (4,063) 10,012 7,626 4,466 3,563
Set-off of tax 5,546 4,063 (5,546) (4,063)
Net tax (assets) liabilities 4,466 3,563 4,466 3,563
Movement in deferred tax balances during the year
Balance
1 January
2015
Recognised in
comprehensive
income
Recognised
in other
comprehensive
income
Recognised
directly in
equity
Balance
31 December
2015
Recognised in
profit or Loss
Recognised
in other
comprehensive
income
Balance
31 December
2016
Property, plant & equipment 6,453 1,173 7,626 2,386 10,012
Defined benefit obligations (987) (109) 1 (1,096) 44 70 (982)
Provisions (1,841) (340) (2,181) 87 (2,094)
Deferred income (856) 70 (786) 15 (771)
Tax losses (10) 10 (1,706) (1,706)
2,759 804 1 3,563 826 70 4,466
Deferred tax assets and liabilities of the Company are attributable to the following:
Company Assets Liabilities Net
2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015
Property, plant & equipment 10,006 7,620 10,006 7,620
Defined benefit obligations (975) (1,089) (975) (1,089)
Provisions (2,046) (2,150) (2,046) (2,150)
Deferred income (772) (787) (772) (787)
Tax loss (1,706) (1,706)
Tax (assets) liabilities before set-off (5,499) (4,026) 10,006 7,620 4,507 3,594
Set-off of tax 5,499 4,026 (5,499) (4,026)
Net tax (assets) liabilities 4,507 3,594 4,507 3,594
Movement in deferred tax balances during the year
Balance 1 January 2015 Recognised in comprehensive income Recognised in other comprehensive income Recognised directly in equity Balance 31 December 2015 Recognised in profit or loss Recognised in other comprehensive income Balance 31 December 2016
Property, plant & equipment 6,450 1,170 7,620 2,386 10,006
Defined benefit obligations (983) (107) 1 (1,089) 44 70 (975)
Provisions (1,810) (340) (2,150) 104 (2,046)
Deferred income (856) 69 (787) 15 (772)
Tax losses (1,706) (1,706)
2,801 792 1 3,594 843 70 4,507

Unrecognised deferred tax (assets)

and liabilities

Deferred income tax assets are recognised for tax losses carry forward to the extent that the realisation of the related tax benefit through future taxable profits is probable. Deferred tax assets have not been recognised in respect of these items because it is not probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the Group can utilise the benefits therefrom. The Group did not recognise deferred tax assets in respect of tax losses of subsidiaries amounting to Rs. 44 million (2015 – 190 million).

The adjusted tax losses available to carry forward as at 31 December 2016 are as follows:

Adjusted tax losses available for
carry forward as at 31 December
2016 2015
SKY Network (Private) Limited 52
SLT VisionCom (Private) Limited 44 138
44 190

24 Deferred Income

Deferred Income

  • The connection fees relating to Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) are deferred over a period of 15 years. Revenue is recognised on an annual basis irrespective of the date of connection.
  • Revenue from the sale of prepaid credit, Internet is deferred until such time as the customer uses the call time, downloadable quota or the credit expires.
  • Backhauling revenue which is leasing of SEA-ME-WE 3 cable capacity is recognised on a straight line basis over the period of the contracts. Amounts received in advance for any services are recorded as deferred revenue.
  • Directory income includes amounts collected for directories not yet printed. Such income will be recognised as income depending on the percentage of directories distributed to the end customer as described in accounting policy (m) (i).
  • IRU revenue relating to leasing of SEA-ME-WE 4 cable capacity is recognised on a straight-line basis over the period of the contracts. Amounts received in advance for any services are recorded as deferred revenue. In the event that a customer terminates an IRU prior to the expiry of the contract and releases the Company from the obligation to provide future services, the remaining unamortised deferred revenue is recognised in the period the contract is terminated.
Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015
At end of year 3,775 4,397 2,873 2,976
  – Representing deferred income – Current 1,435 2,027 576 661
  – Representing deferred income – Non-current 2,340 2,370 2,297 2,315
3,775 4,397 2,873 2,976

25 Trade and Other Payables

Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015
Amounts due within one year
Domestic trade payables 2,743 1,890 307 318
Foreign trade payables 1,562 464 480 183
Amount due to subsidiaries [Note 33.1 (k)] 3,954 3,050
Amount due to related companies [Note 33.2 (b)] 87 46 87 46
Capital expenditure payables [See Note (a) below] 10,462 10,965 7,749 8,778
Social security and other taxes [See Note (b) below] 1,090 1,355 1,062 824
Interest payable 210 229
Other payables [See Note (c) below] 9,143 6,213 5,318 4,243
25,297 21,162 18,957 17,442
Amounts due after one year
International direct dialling deposits 232 232 232 232
PSTN guarantee deposits 20 20 20 20
Domestic trade payables 794 673
Capital expenditure payables 1,697 2,010
2,743 2,935 252 252
  1. Capital expenditure payables of the Company mainly consist of contractors’ payables and retention of Rs. 6,743 million (2015 – Rs. 7,642 million) and advances on network restoration after roadworks of Rs. 1,017 million (2015 – Rs. 1,115 million). Capital expenditure payables of the Group mainly consist of contractors’ payable and retention of Rs. 11,163 million (2015 – Rs. 9,829 million) and advances on network restoration after roadworks of Rs. 1,017 million (2015 – Rs. 1,115 million).
  2. Social security and other taxes of the Company mainly consist of Telecommunication Levy (TL) of Rs. 498 million (2015 – Rs. 485 million), Cess Rs. 74 million (2015 – Rs. 70 million), IDD Levy of Rs. 8 million (2015 – Rs. 14 million), EPF payable of Rs. 117 million (2015 – Rs. 91 million), VAT Payable Rs. 80 million (2015 – Rs. Nil). Social security and other taxes of the Group mainly consist of Telecommunication Levy (TL) of Rs. 913 million (2015 – Rs. 852 million), Cess of Rs. 146 million (2015 – Rs. 131 million), IDD Levy payable of Rs. 8 million (2015 – Rs. 29 million). VAT payable Rs. 552 million (2015 – Rs. Nil).
  3. Other payables of the Company mainly consist of dividend payable to the Government of Sri Lanka of Rs. 246 million (2015 – Rs. 244 million), payable for unpaid supplies of Rs. 2,169 million (2015 – Rs. 1,746 million), International Telecommunication Operators’ Levy payable of Rs. 207 million (2015 – Rs. 157 million) and accrued expenses and other payables of Rs. 1,217 million (2015 – Rs. 1,243 million). Other payables of the Group mainly consist of dividend payable to the Government of Sri Lanka of Rs. 246 million (2015 – Rs. 244 million), payable for unpaid supplies of Rs. 2,169 million (2015 – Rs. 1,746 million), International Telecommunication Operators’ Levy payable of Rs. 207 million (2015 – Rs. 224 million) and accrued expenses and other payables of Rs. 3,662 million (2015 – Rs. 2,852 million).

26 Employee Benefits

Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015
Total employee benefit liability as at 1 January 4,353 3,875 3,892 3,512
Movement in present value of employee benefit liabilities
Current service cost 455 410 389 352
Interest cost 221 224 175 175
Actuarial loss/(gain) (233) 8 (249) (4)
Benefit paid during the year (258) (164) (223) (143)
Balance as at 31 December 4,538 4,353 3,984 3,892
Expenses recognised in the Income Statement
Current service cost 455 410 389 352
Interest cost 221 224 175 175
676 634 564 527
Recognised in Other Comprehensive Income
Actuarial (gain)/loss (233) 8 (249) (4)
(233) 8 (249) (4)

The principal actuarial assumptions used were as follows:

Group Company
2016
%
2015
%
2016
%
2015
%
Discount rate (long-term) 10.0 – 12.0 10.0 – 10.5 11.0 10.0
Future salary increases 8.5 – 9.5 8.5 – 9.5 8.5 8.5

In addition to above, demographic assumptions such as mortality, withdrawal, retirement age were considered for the actuarial valuation. In 2016 – 1967/70 Mortality Table issued by the Institute of Actuaries London (2015 – 1967/70 Mortality Table) was taken as the base for the valuation.

The provisions for defined obligations of Sri Lanka Telecom PLC, SLT Human Capital Solution (Private) Limited, SLT Publications (Private) Limited, Sri Lanka Telecom (Services) Limited and Mobitel (Private) Limited are actuarially valued by Messrs Actuarial and Management Consultants (Private) Limited and Messrs Piyal S Goonetilleke and Associates respectively. The employee benefit liability of all other companies in the Group are based on gratuity formula.

The provision for defined benefit obligations is not externally funded.

Sensitivity analysis

Reasonably possible changes at the reporting date to one of the relevant actuarial assumptions, holding other assumptions consultant, would have affected the defined benefit obligation by the amount shown below.

The sensitivity of the Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income and the Statement of Financial Position is the effect of the assumed changes in discount rate and salary increment rate as depicted in the following table.

Sri Lanka Telecom PLC

Effect on charge to the Statement of
Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income
Effect on net defined benefit liability
Increase Decrease Increase Decrease
2016
Discount rate (Change by 1%) (168) 186 (168) 186
Salary increment rate (Change by 1%) 208 (191) 208 (191)
2015
Discount rate (Change by 1%) (179) 200 (179) 200
Salary increment rate (Change by 1%) 221 (201) 221 (201)

Mobitel (Private) Limited

Effect on charge to the Statement of
Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income
Effect on net defined benefit liability
Increase Decrease Increase Decrease
2016
Discount rate (Change by 1%) (24) 27 (24) 27
Salary increment rate (Change by 1%) 27 (24) 27 (24)
2015
Discount rate (Change by 1%) (23) 27 (23) 27
Salary increment rate (Change by 1%) 28 (25) 28 (25)

27 Insurance Reserve

Group/Company
2016 2015
As at 1 January 605 560
Transferred from retained earnings 75 45
As at 31 December 680 605

As stated in Accounting Policy 3 (s) the Company transfers annually from the retained earnings an amount equal to 0.1% of additions to property, plant & equipment to an insurance reserve. An equal amount is invested in a sinking fund to meet any funding requirements for potential losses from uninsured property, plant & equipment.

Management regularly monitors the charges made against the insurance reserve and the adequacy of the provision made.

28 Grants

Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015
Balance at 1 January 16 22 16 22
Grant credited to profit or loss (7) (6) (7) (6)
Balance at 31 December 9 16 9 16

Grant in Company and Group consists of Exchange equipment received from Alcatel CIT France in 2005.

29 Stated Capital

Company
Issued and fully paid 2016 2015
1,804,860,000 ordinary shares 18,049 18,049

The stated capital is made up as follows:

2016 2015
Holding
%
Number
of shares
Holding
%
Number
of shares
Government of Sri Lanka 49.50 893,405,709 49.50 893,405,709
Global Telecommunications Holdings N.V. 44.98 811,757,869 44.98 811,757,869
Public shareholders 5.52 99,696,422 5.52 99,696,422
100.00 1,804,860,000 100.00 1,804,860,000

30 Cash Generated from Operations

Reconciliation of profit before tax to cash generated from operations:

Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015
Profit before tax 6,497 5,515 2,643 2,795
Adjustments for:
Depreciation (Note 13) 13,776 12,567 8,509 7,524
Grant received less amortisation (Note 28) (7) (6) (7) (6)
Amortisation of intangible assets (Note 14) 541 558 227 249
Amortisation of financial prepayments (Note 15) 83 94
Provision/write-off of bad and doubtful debts 1,417 1,188 912 882
Provision for fall in value of inventories 273 201 273 201
Interest expense and finance costs (Note 9) 250 270 25 30
Foreign exchange (loss)/gain (Note 9. a) 979 2,128 570 916
Interest income (Note 10) (1,012) (844) (448) (486)
Connection fees less amortisation (622) (579) (103) (242)
Profit on sale of property, plant & equipment (404) (33) (388) (14)
Impairment of assets (Note 13) 137 886 137 190
Provision for retirement benefit obligations (Note 26) 676 634 564 527
22,584 22,579 12,914 12,566
Changes in working capital
  – Receivables and prepayments (5,796) (1,862) (4,096) (1,260)
  – Inventories 776 (1,307) 902 (1,187)
  – Payables 3,705 4,044 1,516 2,861
Cash generated from operations 21,269 23,454 11,236 12,980

31 Capital Commitments

The Group and the Company have purchased commitments in the ordinary course of business as at 31 December 2016 are as follows:
Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015
Property, plant & equipment
  – Approved but not contracted 19,261 28,468 19,261 28,468
  – Approved and contracted 13,229 13,724 12,863 11,838
32,490 42,192 32,124 40,306
Operating lease commitments
The future minimum lease payments are other commitment payments as follows:
  – Not later than 1 year 116 85 116 85
  – Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years 191 95 191 95
307 180 307 180

Other financial commitments

Except for any regular maintenance contracts entered into with third parties in the normal course of business, there are no other material financial commitments that requires separate disclosures.

32 Contingencies

  1. Global Electroteks Limited initiated legal action under High Court Case No. 20/2006 claiming damages of USD 12 million from Sri Lanka Telecom PLC (‘SLT’) for alleged unlawful disconnection of interconnection services. Further trial will be held on 17 May 2017.
  2. Appeal Case filed by Directories Lanka (Private) Limited (DLPL) against SLT against the dismissal of CHC 2/2006(3) claimed damages of Rs. 250 million, for alleged unfair competition with regard to artwork on the cover page of the Directory by SLT. The proceedings have not commenced. DLPL appealed against the above order.
  3. 12/2008 CBCU, an Inquiry by Sri Lanka Customs – A consignment of CDMA equipment was detained in October 2008 by the Customs Authority. Subsequently, the equipment were cleared pending the inquiry, based on a cash deposit and bank guarantee submitted by SLT. The Order was delivered in October 2014 imposing a mitigated forfeiture of Rs. 1,820,502,062/- on SLT. SLT has filed case in Court of Appeal under CA/writ/387/2014 against this Order and Interim Order was issued by Court on 9 March 2016, Precluding Respondents from enforcing order dated 17 October 2014. Next date of the Case is 18 September 2017.
  4. Customs Case No. ADP/031/2009 – Goods valued at USD 996,785.65, which was imported under the last consignment of equipment for NGN Phase II expansion project, was detained by the Customs in May 2009. Subsequently, the equipment was cleared in July 2009. Pending the Inquiry. Presently, awaiting the decision of the Customs Department.
  5. Ahmedabad City Civil Court, India 802/2014 – Legal action filed in April 2014 against SLT claiming for damages of Indian Rs. 161,521,447.00 for malicious prosecution in relation to the SLT – Dhiraagu undersea cable. Commercial Court of Ahmedabad dismissed the suit based on Jurisdiction on 16 January 2017.
  6. Debt Recovery Officers who were attached to SLT had filed legal proceedings in Labour Department (Labour Commissioner) and Labour Tribunal and number of proceeding initiated under each forum are 47 and 21 respectively. The relief claimed includes EPF, ETF and compensation with regard to proceedings initiated before the Labour Commissioner and includes reinstatement or compensation under the Proceedings before Labour Tribunal. In addition to the above referred cases, there are other claims by employees and third parties for damages and other relief. In the opinion of the Directors' none of these actions are likely to result in a material liability to the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company has provided guarantees on behalf of its subsidiaries for following credit and trade finance facilities:
  1. USD 102 million (2015 – USD 147 million) for Mobitel (Private) Limited for the GSM rollout stages 6 and 7.
  2. Facilities amounting to Rs. 26 million (2015 – 26 million) for Sri Lanka Telecom (Services) Limited to obtain facilities for working Capital requirement.
  3. With regard to cases detailed above, pending the outcome of the appeals and hearings, no provisions
    have been recognised in the Financial Statements up to 31 December 2016.

33 Related Party Transactions

Parties are considered to be related if one party has the ability to control the other party or exercise significant influence over the other party in making financial and operating decisions. A related party transaction takes place with a transfer of resources or obligations between related parties, regardless of whether a price is charged.

33.1

Company
2016 2015

(a) Mobitel (Private) Limited

Sale of goods and services
  Provision of E1 links 2,910 2,833
  Interconnection charges 295 312
  TDM, VOIP platform and transit 129 190
3,334 3,335
Purchase of goods and services
  Call charges on official mobile phone 87 62
  Interconnection charges 1,479 1,704
  Antenna tower space 798 585
  Building rent 4 3
  Commission on bill collection 6 4
2,374 2,358

As per the TRC approval dated 19 May 2014, Mobitel is entitled to receive discounts if the Company uses more than 3,500 E1 Links.

Further, Mobitel receives discounts on infrastructure services provided by Sri Lanka Telecom PLC.

The Company has provided guarantees on behalf of Mobitel for the following loans and obligations:

USD 102 million (2015 – USD 147 million) for Mobitel (Private) Limited for the GSM rollout stages 6 and 7.

Company
2016 2015

(b) Sky Network (Private) Limited

Sale of goods and services
  Supply of services
Purchase of goods and services
  Service provisioning

Impairment of related party receivable amounting Rs. 61 million was made during the year.

Company
2016 2015

(c) SLT Publications (Private) Limited

Sale of goods and services
  Supply of services 5 5
Purchase of goods and services
  Directory distribution and other services 148

SLT Publications (Private) Limited provides event management services to SLT PLC. As per the agreement, SLT Publications entitle to receive a retainer for the services provided.

Company
2016 2015

(d) Sri Lanka Telecom (Services) Limited

Sale of goods and services 5 4
  Supply of services
Purchase of goods and services
  Project-related services 150 316

The Company has provided guarantees on behalf of Sri Lanka Telecom (Services) Limited for the following loans and obligations:

Facilities amounting to Rs. 26 million (2015 – Rs. 26 million) for Sri Lanka Telecom (Services) Limited to obtain facilities for working capital requirements.

Company
2016 2015

(e) SLT Human Capital Solutions (Private) Limited

Sale of goods and services
  Supply of services 3 6
Purchase of goods and services
  Provision of manpower service 1,791 1,477

(f) SLT VisionCom (Private) Limited

Sale of goods and services
  Supply of services 5 2
Purchase of goods and services
  Service provisioning 139 123

Ad-Insertion revenue

Sri Lanka Telecom received an ad-insertion revenue from SLT VisionCom (Private) Limited amounting to Rs. 5 million. SLT’s share of revenue is based on the following percentages:

Advertisement on PEO TV – EPG 34%
Channel advertisement 17%

Service Fee

Sri Lanka Telecom PLC pays VisionCom (Private) Limited the total cost incurred plus a 5% margin which amounted to
Rs. 139 million in 2016.

Company
2016 2015

(g) SLT Property Management (Private) Limited

Sale of goods and services
  Supply of services
Purchase of goods and services
  Service provisioning

(h) SLT Campus (Private) Limited

Sale of goods and services
  Supply of services 13
Purchase of goods and services
  Service provisioning 11

(i) eChannelling PLC

Sale of goods and services
  Supply of services
Purchase of goods and services
  Service provisioning

(j) Fees for secondment of personnel and services provided to/by SLT PLC

SLT Publications (Private) Limited 45 43
SLT Human Capital Solutions (Private) Limited 3
45 46
Company
2016 2015

(k) Outstanding balances arising from sale/purchase of services

Receivable from subsidiaries
Mobitel (Private) Limited 3,861 3,266
SLT Publications (Private) Limited 167 241
SLT Human Capital Solutions (Private) Limited 152 158
SLT VisionCom (Private) Limited 18 31
Sri Lanka Telecom (Services) Limited 41 10
Sky Network (Private) Limited 6 62
SLT Property Management (Private) Limited 23 13
SLT Campus (Private) Limited 173 40
eChannelling PLC
4,441 3,821
Payable to subsidiaries
Mobitel (Private) Limited 3,389 2,372
SLT Publications (Private) Limited 119 132
SLT Human Capital Solutions (Private) Limited 373 317
Sri Lanka Telecom (Services) Limited 52 222
Sky Network (Private) Limited 1 1
SLT Campus (Private) Limited 20 6
eChannelling PLC
3,954 3,050

33.2 Transactions with other related parties

Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015

(a) Maxis Communications Berhad and its subsidiaries

Sale of goods and services
  Sale of SEA-ME-WE 3 cable capacity 11 10 11 10
  International incoming traffic 74 117 74 117
85 127 85 127
Purchase of goods and services
  International outgoing traffic 40 43 40 43

(b) Outstanding balances arising from sale/ purchase of services

Receivable from related companies
  Maxis Communications Berhad and its subsidiaries 103 67 103 67
Payable to related company
  Maxis Communications Berhad and its subsidiaries 87 46 87 46

(c) Government-related key institutions

The Government of Sri Lanka holds 49.5% of the voting rights of the Company as at 31 December 2016 through the Secretary to the Treasury and those have significant influence over the financial and operating policies of the Company. Accordingly, the Company has considered the Government of Sri Lanka as a related party according to LKAS – ‘24 Related Party Disclosure’.

During the year ended 31 December 2016, the Company has carried out transactions with the Government of Sri Lanka and other Government-related entities in the ordinary course of business.

The Company identified individually significant transactions with Key Government related entities as given below:

  1. Revenue from provision of telecommunication services during the year ended 31 December 2016 amounted to Rs. 3,631 million (2015 – Rs. 3,845 million) and receivables as at 31 December 2016 amounted to Rs. 1,695 million (2015 – Rs. 784 million).
  2. Deposits, repurchase agreements (Repo) and Borrowings of the Group at/from Government banks amounted to Rs. 5,666 million (2015 – Rs. 1,465 million) and Rs. 3,532 million (2015 – Rs. 287 million) as at 31 December 2016.
  3. Dividend payable to the Government amounting to Rs. 244 million (2015 – Rs. 244 million).

33.3 Transactions with key management personnel

Key Management Personnel comprise the Directors and Chief Officers of the Company and the Group.

Group Company
2016 2015 2016 2015
Short-term benefits 234 269 209 195
Post-employment benefits 22 29 21 20
Salaries and other benefits 256 298 230 215

All transactions during the year and balances as at the reporting date between the following companies have been eliminated in preparing the Consolidated Financial Statements:

Mobitel (Private) Limited
Sri Lanka Telecom (Services) Limited
SLT Publications (Private) Limited
SLT Human Capital Solutions (Private) Limited
SLT VisionCom (Private) Limited
Sky Network (Private) Limited
SLT Property Management (Private) Limited
SLT Campus (Private) Limited
eChannelling PLC

Related party transactions disclosed above should be read in conjunction with Note 16 to the Financial Statements.

34 Non-Uniform Accounting Policies

The impact of non-uniform accounting policies adopted by the subsidiary company has been adjusted in the Consolidated Financial Statements as set out below:

Adjustment due to different accounting policies of the Parent and the Group entity

Sri Lanka Telecom PLC accounts for refunds on Telecommunication Development Charge (TDC) on cash basis when the payment is received whereas Mobitel (Private) Limited recognises it in the Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income on a straight line basis.

Therefore, the recognition of the refund by Mobitel (Private) Limited was eliminated and is recognised on cash basis in the consolidated accounts.

Group impact
2016 2015
Reversal of deferred revenue recognised in Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income by Mobitel (Private) Limited (100) (100)

35 Events after the Reporting Date

The Board of Directors of the Company has recommended a first and final dividend of Rs. 0.89 per share (2015 – Rs. 0.89 per share) on voting shares of the Company to be paid by way of cash dividend for the financial year ended
31 December 2016.

Further, this dividend is to be approved at the Annual General Meeting to be held on 24 May 2017. This proposed final dividend has not been recognised as a liability as at 31 December 2016. Under the Inland Revenue Act No. 10
of 2006, a WHT of 10% has been imposed on dividend declared. Final dividend proposed for the year amounts to Rs. 1,606,325,400/-, in compliance with Sections 56 and 57 of Companies Act No. 07 of 2007.

As required by Section 56 of the Companies Act No. 07 of 2007, the Board of Directors of the Company satisfied the solvency test in accordance with the Section 57, prior to recommending the final dividend. A Statement of Solvency completed and duly signed by the Directors on 5 April 2017 has been audited by KPMG.

Except as disclosed above, no other events have arisen since the Statement of Financial Position date which require changes to, or disclosure in the Financial Statements.