President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that the government is prepared to implement structural changes in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) that are operating at a loss. Speaking at the Sri Lanka Economic Summit 2025 in Colombo today (28), he revealed that a study is underway to explore the possibility of listing these enterprises on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) through a holdings company.
“We are not viewing these enterprises from the old perspective. We are ready to make structural changes,” the President stated. He explained that the government is assessing whether merging certain enterprises and issuing shares on the stock market could be a viable solution. Additionally, the administration is considering restructuring corporations and boards to enhance efficiency.
The President acknowledged that some state enterprises perform overlapping functions, making consolidation necessary. “I will be frank—some enterprises are redundant. We may have to close some, merge others, and redefine the scope of certain institutions. We are currently working on identifying these,” he said.
The proposed reforms signal a significant shift in the government’s approach to public sector management, aiming to improve efficiency, reduce financial burdens, and attract investment through strategic restructuring.
