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Litro Chair contradicts PM on gas supply

16 Jun 2022

  • Says no LPG tanker set to arrive
  • Points finger at predecessors for not placing orders
  • PM promised at least one gas tanker within 14 days
  • Litro requests Rs. 200 price hike
BY Buddhika Samaraweera Contradicting Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s statement that liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tankers would begin arriving in Sri Lanka within 14 days from Tuesday (14), and that discussions are underway to bring in at least one shipment before then, newly appointed Litro Gas Lanka Ltd. Chairman Muditha Peiris said yesterday (15) that no such shipments are scheduled to arrive beyond the one unloaded on Tuesday. Speaking to the media yesterday, he said: “At present, a ship with a capacity of nearly 3,900 metric tonnes (MT) of gas has been unloaded. It was only on Tuesday that we were able to get it released. When it comes to gas distribution, we try to prioritise areas that have been identified as essential services. However, a stock of 3,900 MT of gas is a very small amount and it is sad to say that this will not solve the current crisis. Not a single ship is scheduled to arrive in the country since this ship arrived. I can only see the empty ocean.” Peiris said that the relevant suppliers were ready to supply sufficient stocks for the next four months in the country, but that the necessary negotiations had not been carried out by the previous Heads at Litro Gas Lanka Ltd., adding that while he does not like to blame or point fingers at anyone, they should have acted more responsibly as heads of the national gas supplier.  “I am aware of issues such as the country’s economic crisis and the shortage of foreign currency reserves, including US dollars. However, they should have at least spoken to three or four suppliers and discussed the due dates, at least on the condition that the payments would be made when the ships were being unloaded. Nothing of the sort had happened. When former heads here have acted irresponsibly in that way, I do not know how people would take it, but it is my duty and responsibility to tell the people the truth.”  However, on Tuesday, Premier Wickremesinghe had stated that the shipments of gas that are scheduled to arrive, further to the latest shipment, would be enough for four months of consumption. “We will be able to satisfy the demand for gas for four months. At the moment, it looks like it will take another 14 days for this to arrive. But we are hoping to bring at least one of these ships before that to Sri Lanka. Discussions are underway for this purpose,” he said. He explained that priority in the distribution of the shipment of LPG unloaded on Tuesday would be granted to hospitals, hotels, and crematoriums.  Peiris also told reporters at the press briefing that Litro has made a request for another increase in the prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, noting that the price of a domestic gas cylinder at Litro Gas is currently Rs. 4,860. “With all the details, we have sent a letter to the authorities requesting a price increase. In that too, we have only asked for an increase of around Rs. 200.” The LPG supply has been severely affected due to the prevailing economic crisis caused by the shortage of foreign reserves in the country. Consumers of privately owned Laugfs Gas PLC have complained that stocks have been scarce all year, while State-owned Litro Gas Lanka Ltd. has halted the supply of gas on several occasions. Consumers are seen standing in long queues for days on end to obtain a gas cylinder and a number of protests are also takin\g place on a daily basis, over the shortage of gas.


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