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Looting and fighting due to gas shortage

09 May 2022

  • Protestors block roads in several areas
  • Around 100 LPG cylinders stolen
By Buddhika Samaraweera Protests were staged in several areas including Navinna, Armour Street, Jampataa Street, Grandpass, and Slave Island against the prevailing shortage of gas and kerosene, which disrupted traffic on a few main roads yesterday (8) and led to the theft of approximately 100 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders being distributed by Litro Gas Lanka Ltd. One of the most talked about protests demanding LPG was held in the Armour Street area in Maradana, disrupting traffic on the surrounding roads from Saturday night (7) to last evening. During the protests, consumers said that although ordinary people could not buy gas due to the shortage, large-scale businesses continued to receive gas, and demanded that gas be supplied without any shortage. Protestors in Armour Street had also stopped a vehicle transporting Litro Gas cylinders, after which some of the protestors had carried away LPG cylinders without making a payment. Litro Gas Ltd. told media last evening that about 100 gas cylinders that were being transported in the said vehicle had gone missing, and that a police investigation is ongoing into this incident.  Another group of gas consumers in Maharagama staged a protest yesterday by blocking the 138 bus route at the Navinna Junction, claiming that there had been no supply of gas for several days. They protested for several hours from 8.30 a.m. and only allowed ambulances to drive through the road. Other vehicles, including private buses, had to take alternate routes to reach their relevant destinations. During the protest, arguments and clashes arose between the protestors and vehicle owners on several occasions. A tense situation also arose when a group which identified themselves as residents of the area demanded that protestors stop blocking the road. However, at around 5.30 p.m., the road was reopened to traffic. Furthermore, residents of the Grandpass area in Colombo staged a protest last morning blocking several roads in the area demanding gas and kerosene, noting that both gas and kerosene used for cooking in the absence of gas are now unaffordable. They demanded the immediate supply of gas and kerosene. It was also reported that a group of people who had come to buy gas had blocked the Slave Island junction last evening demanding the provision of gas. Due to the prevailing economic crisis caused by the shortage of US dollar reserves, which are mainly required to make imports, there is a grave shortage of many commodities such as rice, gas, milk powder, cement, and even pharmaceutical drugs. Given the shortages, the people are currently seen waiting in long queues for hours on end to purchase such commodities. 


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