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Thursday September 21st, 2023

SriLankan Airlines explains plan to lease newer used aircraft

ECONOMYNEXT – State-run SriLankan Airlines has explained the need to lease replacement aircraft with leases of a number of aircraft running out in the near future, and newer used aircraft being 20 to 40 percent cheaper now compared to its existing fleet.

Leases of three aircraft had expired during the Covid pandemic and 09 others were due to expire from 2022 to 225.

Without a direction to shut down the airline from the major shareholder, the government, not replacing the aircraft without a specific direction to shut down the airline “such failure to act would have been a dereliction of duty on the part of the Board of Directors,” the airline said.

The airline had made an operational profit in the March 2022 quarter for the first time since 2006.

Sri Lankan had 878 million dollars in debt mostly to state banks, and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and a dollar bond.

The airline would make a large forex loss after the central bank printed money and broke the rupee’s soft peg with the US dollar.

The forex loss on 878 million US dollars when the rupee falls from 200 to about 360 so far would be around 140 billion rupees. The same would apply to all other enterprises with US dollar debt including CPC.

SriLankan said 85 percent of its revenues were in US dollars.

Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, which had little dollar revenues had been made to borrow around 3.6 billion US dollars by authorities, whenever money printed to target an output gap (stimulus) created currency crises, analysts have said.

SriLankan said when it advertised for proposals from prospective lessors on April 10, the Board had no knowledge that on April 12 Sri Lanka would suspend payment on debt.

While the sovereign rating downgrade would lead to a rise in risk premium, the airline believed that it would still benefit from lower lease costs.

The statement from SriLankan in the form of an faq is reproduced below:

3 May 2022; Colombo – SriLankan Airlines Ltd. welcomes and respects the rich debate in the public space on matters concerning the Operation of the Airline in General and the ‘Notice of Procurement’for the Lease of Aircraft in specific.The Board and Managementare of the opinion that the discussion on these topics would benefit from more full information.

At the outset, we believe that the response to the following questionwould set the foreground for a more informed analysis of the areas of interest.

What was the Rationale of the Proposal from Management, and Approval by the Board, to Explore Aircraft Leasing Options in the Global Market?

The proposal from Management was primarily focused on the replacement of Twelve (12) expiring/expired aircraft leases.Nine (09) Aircraft will leave the fleet commencing year-end through to 2025 and Three (03) have left the fleet already during the pandemic period.

Not taking timely actionto explore the global market for lease options would effectively translate to scaling down the Airline through route cancellation.In the absence of a Direction or Decision by the Shareholder (Government of Sri Lanka – GoSL) to Scale Down or Shut Down the Airline (along with the dire consequences of such action to debt holders including the State Banks), such failure to act would have been a dereliction of duty on the part of the Board of Directors.

The interplay between Sri Lanka’s Foreign Currency Crisis and the Operational strategies of SriLankan Airlines was also an important consideration. This topic is dealt with in more detail through specific questions and answers, but the salient fact is that SriLankan, with 85% of its earnings being from overseas, is a foreign currency earner, similar to an export business. Shrinking the foreign currencyearning capacity of the Airline through fleet contraction would in fact be negative to the Country’s foreign currency situation.

The Management proposal was also centered on the fact that the lease market rates are very low at present (savings of 20%-40% relative to the current fleet). The Airline also has the further opportunity to significantly reduce operating costs through the securing of Aircraft which are more fuel-efficient and cheaper to maintain. These are all factors that would improve the USD Cash Flows of the Airline.
The Management additionally sought approval to explore the viability of expanding the fleet by up to Nine (09) Aircraft during the period 2023-2025to exploit forecasted tourism demand in the years ahead at lower lease and operating costs.

The above and other salient subjects and discussion points are further addressed through the Specific Questions which follow.

At this stage, has SriLankan Airlines Committed to the Lease of (even a single) Aircraft – No

Even at a future stage of the process, if for whatever reason the Airline wishes not to proceed with Leasing Aircraft, would the Airline be still compelled to Lease 21 Aircraft? No, the Airline would be free to Lease as few or as many aircraft as it wishes or to cancel the entire process. The entire process is on a Strictly Non-Binding basis.

Was the Intent of the Airline to Lease Brand New Aircraft? No, the Airline’s focus was on exploring the Global Market for Used Aircraft, to significantly reduce its operating cost structure.

Would Aircraft leases burden the State? No, all leases will be funded through the company’s foreign currency cash flows.

When would the Airline need to take a Decision whether (or not) to Lease Aircraft – and the related quantity, aircraft type, aircraft age,etc.?From the Airline’s perspective, it would be ideal if the Procurement Process was progressed to the level of decision making by October 2022. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of several routes from March 2023 onwards and the contraction of revenues.

Does SriLankan Airlines draw on Foreign Currency Resources of the Sri Lankan Economy? No, SriLankan with 85% of its revenues in foreign currency is a net foreign currency earner under normal operating conditions. It should be noted, however, that the Airline Business is susceptible to major disruptions such as the pandemic or a country specific situation that deters tourism and international travel. s

Should SriLankan Airlines consider Replacement of Expiring Leases and Aircraft Additions when Sri Lanka was facing a Foreign Currency Crisis? Since the Airline’s operations generate foreign currency inflows, shrinking the fleet and resulting foreign currency cashflows will have a negative impact on the inflow of foreign currency to the country, while growing the foreign currency cash flows would have a positive impact. The Airline should therefore continue to evaluate the business case for Aircraft Replacement at a lower costand the very selective addition of new cash generating routes, in the best interest of the Company and the Shareholder.

What are the steps which need to be completed for the Board to be able to make a recommendation to the Shareholder (Government of Sri Lanka)by the end of 2022?
Identification of Bona-Fide Bidders for Aircraft Leasing through a transparent process
Calling for lease Proposals from eligible bonafide bidders through a transparent process
Evaluation of the bids
Preparation of a Recommendation in terms of Timing, Quantity, Aircraft Type, Age and specifications.

Is it normal practice to make a public announcement of the intent to lease aircraft? It is Best Practice in the interest of Full Transparency and to allow any Potential Lessor to participate. This level of transparency we believe is a significant enhancement to the Airline’s Lease procurement process and should be a consistent practice within the overall governance framework going forward.

What is the current status of the Process?The current stage (Notice of Procurement) was limited to the Submission of Credentials to enable the identification of Bona Fide Bidders with requisite certification and Aircraft Supply over the period up to 2022. No pricing information was called for at this stage. The next stage would be to issue an RFP document to the Qualified Bona Fide Bidders. Based on the suggestion of the COPE, the progress to the next phase of Price Exploration has been deferred by 3 months.

What considerations would be taken into account prior to deciding whether or not to lease aircraft and in the former case,quantity, price and aircraft type,etc.?

Business Caseformulation and evaluation for each and every Aircraft Lease (whether a replacement for an expiring lease or for route addition).

Financial Situation of the Airline at the time under multiple scenarios

Macro-Economic Conditions at the time and projected going forward

The Business Case Evaluation for Aircraft Replacement and/or Addition would necessarily have to factor in the Risk of Exceptional Situations and their mitigation.

What other considerations are relevant to the decision to survey the Global Aircraft Leasing Market?
The Aircraft Leasing market is currently very favorable, with a high likelihood of SriLankan Airlines being able to secure savings of 20%-40% relative to lease rates being paid at present.
The additional opportunity to significantly reduce operating costs through the securing of Aircraft which are more fuel-efficient and cheaper to maintain.

The Notice of Procurement points to the Potential number of Aircraft to be Leased up to the Year 2025 as 21. How is this number derived?

The quantity being explored includes 12 replacement aircraft. Nine (09) Aircraft will leave the fleet commencing year end through to 2025 and Three (03) have left the fleet already during the pandemic period. The Management is also exploring the market conditions for a further 9 Aircraft during the period up to 2025 in line with Tourism and International Travel Forecasts published by reputed International Organisations such as IATA (International Air Transport Association).

Sri Lanka announced the Selective Suspension of External Debt Servicing on 12th April – what impact would this have?

The downgrade of Sri Lanka’s ratings to default levels is likely to result in potential lessors adding a risk premium to pricing levels in the market. It is nevertheless likely that Lease Costs inclusive of such premium would remain more favorable than lease rates paid by the Airline at present.

To what extent was the Board aware of the Economic Crisis in Sri Lanka

The Board was fully aware of the deteriorating economic conditions in Sri Lanka, which have impacted day to day operations and have been extensively deliberated.A large number of strategic initiatives were launched to mitigate the impact of the crisis on the various dimensions of the Airline’s operation. The strategies adopted by the Airline enabled it to deliver an Operating Profit for the January-March Quarter notwithstanding the worsening economic conditions

With specific reference to the Commencement of a Process to Investigate Pricing of Aircraft leases, for reasons explained above, there was no reason to hold back such an initiative since circa50% of the fleet leases are expiring and initiatives targeting Direct Cost Savings and the continuation and growth of foreign currency Cash Flows, will directly benefit the company and the Shareholder (GoSL).

The Notice of Procurement was released on the 10th of April 2022. As stated before the COPE, the Company had no knowledge of the intent of the government to announce a Selective Suspension of External Debt Servicing on 12th April. As explained above, this would have some impact on Lease Prices,but it is likely the Airline would have the opportunity to benefit from lower (than current) lease prices regardless.

What is the Financial Situation of SriLankan Airlines?

Promisingly, the Airline has recorded a Group Operating Profit in US Dollar Terms for the January – March Quarter of 2022(unaudited). Thiswas the first profitable Quarter (in USD terms) after 6 Years. Significantly it is also the first 4thquarter profit (in USD terms) since 2006.

The Airline has, however, over a long period of time, accumulated an unsustainable level of debt which currently stands at USD 878 Mn.

Significantly, and notwithstanding the Operating Profitability achieved in US Dollar Terms, the carriage of USD Debt would, due to the recent devaluation of the LKR by over 50%, result in the recording of avery significantnon-cash exchange loss (due to revaluation of debt) in the LKR statutory financial statementsfor the year ended 31 March 2022 (unaudited).

A majority of this debt is held by the State Banks and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC). Other significant debt includes a Government Guaranteed USD Bond for USD 175 million reissued in 2019.

Over the Past months, based on enhanced operating profitability and foreign currencycash flows, the Airline has commenced paying down debts to CPC, in addition to ensuring timely servicing of interest ofother term debt.

What were the main drivers of improved operational performance

Operating Profit during December 2021 and January to March 2022, has been achieved through a two-pronged strategy – Cost Restructuring and Opportunistic New Revenue Capture based on new routes, and adapting capacity to demand for both passenger and cargo traffic

Cost Restructuring at SriLankan is based on several phases and the Initiative to Rebase the Cost of Leases to Current (favorable) prices is a critical phase moving forward

What was the Impact of the Pandemic on the Global Industry and SriLankan Airlines in particular?

Globally, the devastating impact of the Pandemic resulted in 26 Airlines entering restructuring and 37 Airlines being shut down

Relative to the global industry, SriLankan has fared reasonably well, with a post-pandemic operating structure that provides a foundation for profitable operations.

Several factors made this possible:

Sacrifices made by the employees of the Airline, a majority of whom took deep salary cuts over an extended period.

Equity injection by the Shareholder of LKR 45.7 billion in 2020.

Successful Cost Restructuring (which brought down operating costs by USD 100 Million during the pandemic) and Exploitation of Market Opportunities – Cargo Services, Repatriation Services, New Demand Capture – for example between India and Australia.

Shouldn’t SriLankan Airlines be Shut Down? Sold? Liquidated and Restarted etc.?

These are valid questions. The critical issue which constrains the Options available is the fact that insolvency or bankruptcy at SriLankan would have a serious impact on the State Banks and CPC which hold a bulk of the historical debt.

Restructuring or Capitalisation of debt and/or liquidation and restart (as some Airlines have done) are decisions that need to be taken by the Shareholder (Government of Sri Lanka) and are beyond the purview of the Board. The Board has however provided the Shareholder with several going forward scenarios along with envisaged consequences.

In the absence of such direction by the Shareholder, it is the fiduciary duty of the Board of Directors to maximize the operating performance of the company.

The focus of the Board and Management has been to achieve Profitable Operations and to Commence Paying down long outstanding debt.

How is the Board of Directors Appointed and Remunerated?

Board members are appointed by the Shareholder of the Airline – the Ministry of Finance

The current Board of the Airline was appointed in January 2020 shortly prior to the Pandemic

At the point of appointment, current board members resolved not to accept any remuneration or benefits whatsoever.

Board members extended time and effort towards the management of the Airline on a purely honorary basis.

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Sri Lanka’s 2022 EPF returns falls to lowest, single digit in near two decades – CB data

ECONOMYNEXT – The 2022 annual average return on Sri Lanka’s largest contributory pension scheme, the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), has fallen to its lowest in nearly two decades, Central Bank data showed.

The annual average return in the last year fell to 9.52 percent from the previous year’s 11.40 percent, a central bank response to a Right to Information (RTI) request showed.

Returns on EPF has raised concerns among contributors after the government decided to include EPF investments in the government treasury bonds under the domestic debt optimization (DDO) process.

Last year’s lower return has been recorded despite market interest rates being more than 30 percent towards the end of the year. In contrast, the fund has given a double digit return in 2020 when the market interest rates hovered in single digits.

Analysts have predicted the returns to be further low with the central bank opting for the government’s DDO option.

A central bank analysis on DDO showed the return on EPF could fall to as low as 6.79 percent if the DDO option was not chosen within the next 12 years as against 8.02 percent if opted for DDO.

Trade unions and some politically motivated fractions opposed the government move to include the EPF investments under the DDO. However, parliament approved the move early this month.

According to the data made available from 2005, the central bank, which is the custodian of the EPF, has given the highest return of 16.03 percent in 2009.

The island nation’s largest pension fund has almost 21-million member accounts including 18.3 million non-contributing accounts due to some members having multiple number of accounts.

The 3.38 trillion-rupee ($10.6 billion) worth fund as of end 2022 is managed by the central bank, including its investment decisions.

As of end 2022, the central bank has invested 3.23 trillion rupees or 95.7 percent of the total EPF in government securities, while 84.1 billion rupees has been invested in listed companies in the Colombo Stock Exchange, the central bank said quoting the EPF audited financial statement. (Colombo/September 21/2023)

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Malaysia to support Sri Lanka’s bid to join RCEP

ECONOMYNEXT – Malaysia has agreed to support Sri Lanka’s application to become a member of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a major regional trade agreement.

The RCEP is a free trade agreement among the Asia-Pacific nations of Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe met the Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during bilateral discussions on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York yesterday (20).

During the meeting, the Malaysian Prime Minister expressed a strong desire to bolster economic ties between the two nations, according to a president’s media division statement.

He emphasized Malaysia’s eagerness to facilitate increased investments from Malaysian companies in Sri Lanka.

Ibrahim also expressed positivity towards Sri Lanka’s request to commence negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries, which could potentially open up new avenues for trade and economic cooperation.

Wickremesinghe is in a drive to bolster international ties and integrate the country with the global economy.

So far this week he met with the leaders of Bangladesh, Nepal, Malaysia, Iran, South Korea, as well as representatives from global bodies such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, USAID, Meta, the Commonwealth, and attended other forums.

Sri Lanka aims to expand its economic reach first within South Asia and then extend further.
Data shows that Sri Lanka has been able to boost exports with FTAs.

Over the past two decades Sri Lanka’s exports have not grown as much as competitors.

Economists involved in trade have pointed out that Sri Lanka should make joining the RCEP a priority instead of trying to negotiate multiple smaller deals for which it does not have the bandwidth in government, or the technical resources to do multiple trade agreements. (Colombo/Sep21/2023)

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Is Tibet Prepared for a Post-Dalai Lama Era?

ECONOMYNEXT – Tibetans have shaped and sustained their lives for more than 60 years under the leadership of the 14th Dalai Lama. The spiritual leader turned 88 in July, and as his longevity is discussed amongst his followers, there is also concern about Tibet’s future without his physical presence.

In 2011, the Dalai Lama divested himself of all political authority, yet, as the architect of democratic governance, he continues to remain a larger-than-life figure for Tibetans.

Along with that come other challenges; safeguarding the democratic system he initiated, engaging younger generations in the cause for Tibet’s freedom, protecting the country’s environment, the influence of external forces and the possible geopolitical fallout of India’s continued support of the Tibetan cause.
Ever since the Lhasa uprising of 1959, and the setting up of a government in exile in Dharamsala, India, the first Tibetan Constitution introduced by the Dalai Lama in 1963 has undergone many changes.

In 1991 the Supreme Justice Commission was added to the other two pillars of democracy, the Legislature and the Executive. Along with that, an Independent Audit Commission, an Independent Public Service Commission and an Independent Election Commission were set up, and women were assigned two seats in the Legislature. The current operational body of the Tibetan government in exile is known as the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA).

The debate on Tibet’s sovereignty, which fell under the control of the Chinese in 1951, is ongoing, with the Chinese government terming it the “Peaceful Liberation of Tibet’ and the CTA and Tibetan diaspora referring to it as the “Chinese invasion of Tibet.”

Despite the reforms and the Dalai Lama divesting himself of all political power the spiritual leader exerts considerable influence and therefore there is still, a heavy dependence on him, notes MP Youdon Aukatsang. Speaking at a webinar titled “Tibetan Democracy in Exile’ organised by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, South Asia, on September 15, Ms Aukatsang pointed to a recent constitutional crisis which was finally resolved following the Dalai Lama’s intervention. “Tibetans must take full responsibility for political matters as envisaged by His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” she said.

There is also the challenge of dealing with the internal dissent amongst Tibetans, which she claimed is spearheaded by China.

The webinar moderated by Ms Tenzin Peldon, the Director and Editor-in-Chief of Voice of Tibet, included Ven Geshe Lhakdor, Director, Tibetan Library and Archives and honorary Professor, University of British Columbia, Gondo Dhondup, President of the Tibetan Youth Congress and Sujeet Kumar, an Indian parliamentarian and the Convenor of the All Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet.

The current Sikyong, Tibet’s political leader Penpa Tsering and Dr Jurgen Murtens, a member of the German Bundestag also addressed the webinar.

The democratic model, Aukatsang states is successful, yet it is a work in progress. The current make up of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile (TPiE) has 45 members representing the three provinces of U-Tsang, Do-med and Do-tod, the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism as well as the traditional Bon faith, Europe, North America and Australasia. It is headed by the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.

Aukatsang would like to see a modification in the composition with more representation from the diaspora, and less from the provinces to better reflect the changing demography. She also proposes an increase in the number of members of the Standing Committee from 11 to 15 and calls for the establishment of a dispute resolution mechanism rather than the direct impeachment process, which is the current practice.

Though the 1991 reforms made way for women’s representation in the TPiE, (currently 10 ministers and the Deputy Speaker are women), Aukatsang is hopeful there would be “more meaningful engagement of women in leadership roles,” for, as she points out, they are the custodians of Tibetan culture and language. Women have also distinguished themselves as founders of several non-governmental organisations and in the field of education.

Her sentiments were reflected by the Sikyong, Penpa Tsering when he said that unless the administration is ready to adapt to demographic and social realities, its relevancy will be challenged.

When the Buddha was on his deathbed, and his followers were fearful of being on their own, the Buddha had advised that the focus should be on his teachings and not his physical presence. Likewise, says Ven Geshe Lhakdor, Tibetans must continue to abide by the teachings of the Dalai Lama, and not worry about his absence. When Tibetans were prohibited from displaying photos of the Dalai Lama, they hung up empty picture frames, he said, aware that the Dalai Lama remains within them.

Ven Geshe Lhakdor also advocates a separation of Church and State, pointing out that clergy must involve themselves in the spiritual upliftment of society, rather than in politics. The idea of the religious ruling a country is outdated, he points out, adding that once clergy get into a “political mindset” they are unable to send out good signals to the people. He adds that their responsibility is to safeguard culture and harmony and be role models.

The principles of democracy are a reflection of Buddhist teaching the Venerable noted, pointing out its time to extricate oneself from a tribal mentality. The focus must be on a long-term, robust vision, rather than quick fixes. He also believes that Tibetans must safeguard themselves from internal fragmentation, even more than external threats.

One unique feature of the administration is that it is free of corruption, the Venerable notes, despite being surrounded by corrupt systems.

Even though Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India, sought and had the cooperation of all Chief Ministers to offer refuge to Tibetans in 1959, MP Sujeet Kumar is of the opinion that the current Indian Parliament is rather diffident in openly rooting for Tibet against China.

While acknowledging that Indian parliamentarians have huge constituencies and are busy, he is hopeful his colleagues would take more interest in Tibet and her issues.

Tibetans alone have the right to decide on the Dalai Lama’s successor, says Kumar, and India must back that. India should also rally the support of other nations to help Tibet charter her own course in a post-Dalai Lama scenario.

Kumar would like to see more Tibetan youth become part of India’s trillion-dollar digital industry.
He is concerned, however, at the lack of enthusiasm amongst the youth to use social media to fight disinformation being circulated about Tibet.

Acknowledging that youth could be more engaged in social media to fight disinformation, Gondo Dhondup says all Tibetans are “born to be activists” and to the cause, even though it is difficult to envisage a freedom movement without the Dalai Lama.

Youth are the agents of change, and Tibet’s future citizens, therefore they must stay informed. The TYC organises leadership training, and Tibetans, even those scattered around the globe must take advantage of the programmes, Dhondup says.

While calling on India to introduce a national policy on Tibet, Dhondup cautions that India’s waterways that originate in Tibet are under threat. The rivers are either “diverted or polluted” affecting downstream villagers, and India must ensure her water security, Dhondup explains.

The recently concluded G20 summit was themed “One Earth, One Family, One Future”, and that gives India an opportunity to be more vocal about the environment, he says.

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