Gas Explosions : 23 incidents in 24 hours

COLOMBO (News 1st); Gas explosions are continuing to occur in many parts of the country, with Police reporting as many as 23 gas explosions in the last 24 hours ending at 06:00 a.m. on Sunday (19).

One person had been injured in these explosions.

Meanwhile, 815 gas explosions have occurred between the 1st of November until Saturday (18), and the committee appointed by the President to investigate the gas explosions is to submit its report on Monday (20).

The President appointed the committee on the 30th of November to find solutions to this issue.

A gas cooker used to cook meals for patients at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital had caught fire this afternoon, and the News 1st correspondent reported that three gas cylinders were detached from the cooker and that gas leaks were identified in two of them.

Red and black labels had been pasted on both cylinders.

Meanwhile, a gas cooker had exploded at a house in Vihara Paalugama in Anuradhapura on Saturday (18), with no injuries being reported.

However, a youth was injured after a gas cooker had exploded in Udupussallawa.

Additionally, a gas cooker had also exploded at a house in Welambada in Gampola, yet no one was injured in the explosion.

Occupants of the house said the gas cylinder contained a tri-colour seal.

More gas cookers have exploded in Raththota in Matale as well.

Furthermore, the gas consignment that reached the country on the 'Pericles' tanker this week was allowed to be used in cylinders following tests.

Tests were conducted for the second time on the standards of LP gas that reached Sri Lanka on the Epic Balta tanker on Saturday (18).

Earlier, the Consumer Affairs Authority had not approved the stock as they didn't contain the required quantity of the odorant 'Mercaptan' which helps to detect leaks.

Another ship carrying LP gas has reached the Gas Refilling Plant in Kerawalapitiya as well