CAA & Gas Companies tell court that gas is being distributed

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Consumer Affairs Authority and the Gas Companies informed the Court of Appeal on Friday (31) that steps were taken to distribute domestic LP gas cylinders to the local consumers.

The announcement was made when a motion filed by civil activist Nagananda Kodithuwakku, claiming that the CAA and the Gas Companies had disregarded a court order to recall all dangerous gas cylinders, was taken up at the Court of Appeal.

Kodithuwakku told the Court of Appeal that because the gas companies failed to comply with the court order to recall gas cylinders, there are at least two gas-related accidents that are reported daily.

The motion was called up in the presence of Court of Appeal Justices Ruwan Fernando and Sampath Wijeratne.

An affidavit from the Chairman of the Consumer Affairs Authority noting that the court order concerning the gas cylinders was enacted, was produced in the court on Friday (31).

Attorney-at-Law Manohara Jayasinghe appearing for the Consumer Affairs Authority pointed out that the CAA informed the gas companies to recall all sealed gas cylinders from the market.

The attorney said that gas companies were also instructed to maintain the maximum percentage of propane in a domestic gas cylinder to 30 percent.

The Consumer Affairs Authority has also instructed the Gas Companies to make arrangements to pay a certain amount for the gas contained in the recalled used gas cylinders or to reduce the said amount when issuing a new cylinder.

The counsel further stated that a discussion will be held with the gas companies next Monday (3) to set up a mechanism in this regard.

President's Counsel Harsha Amarasekera, appearing for Litro Gas, pointed out that the Court of Appeal did not have the power to monitor the activities of the Consumer Affairs Authority and alleged the motion of being baseless.

After considering the facts, the bench of the Court of Appeal adjourned the hearing of the petition to the 26th of January 2022.