Litro running out of Gas? Johnston wants answers

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Minister of Highways, Johnston Fernando alleges that the Chairmen of gas companies have not come to the forefront and have not even answered telephone calls, and continues to hide their faces and evade responsibilities when issues arise. 

However, Litro Gas Lanka says it has not released new cylinders to the market for the last three days as it says it does not have any gas to fill the cylinders.

Meanwhile, the Consumer Affairs Authority had rejected 3,200 metric tons of LP Gas that reached Colombo on the Epic Balta tanker on Saturday (11).

The consignment had been rejected as gas leak detecting odorant Mercaptan was not up to standard after the relevant LP gas tanker had reached Colombo from the Mongla Port in Bangladesh.

Additionally, the Pericles oil tanker carrying 2,000 metric tons of LP gas reached the country on Wednesday (15) from Maldives.

The Consumer Affairs Authority's chairman Maj. Gen. Shantha Dissanayake said samples have been obtained from the oil tanker, and he added that the relevant samples will be sent to two labs for testing purposes. 

Subsequently, the approval will be granted for the gas consignment after the lab reports are studied by an expert panel.

However, a gas shortage has arisen in the market at present.

Within this context, Litro Gas Lanka Ltd. says they don't have LP gas stocks and that it has not released cylinders to the market for three days whilst Laugfs Gas company says its supply of gas cylinders has dropped to about 25%.

The company noted that it would be difficult to even supply 25% from January, if there is no foreign currency to settle the payments for which Letters of Credit are issued.

The United National Self-Employed Businessmen’s Association staged a protest opposite the State Ministry of consumer protection on Thursday (16), and demanded the resignation of State Minister Lasantha Alagiuawanna and the Chairmen of the gas companies for exposing the lives of people to risk.

The President of the United National Self-Employed Businessmen’s Association, Pradeep Charles speaking to media pointed out that 727 gas explosions have occurred in the country so far, yet the Minister in charge of the subject has not resigned.

Pointing out further flaws in the Government policy, Charles alleges that the composition of cylinders given to the people has been changed, and the companies are not recalling cylinders back as well.

" What is this crime that they are committing? Just like they paid money for the fertilizer ship, they will pay for gas cylinder stocks as well. The Parliamentarians and Ministers are going to enjoy their time in December by going on vacation to the US and other countries. But the people are living in fear that their gas cylinders will explode in their homes," he said.

Meanwhile, a religious service was held at the Seenigama Devalaya seeking to punish the gas companies that exposed the people's lives to risk.