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Ship with 3,500 MTs LP gas yet to be released

15 Mar 2022

 
  • Litro yet to effect an Rs. 835 price hike
  • Reports of cylinders being sold far above market price
  • Retailers receive only about 250 cylinders each from Litro
  BY Pamodi Waravita With a widespread shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in the market, The Morning learnt that a ship carrying 3,500 metric tonnes (MT) of LPG which has docked in Sri Lanka was yet to be released as of yesterday (14) due to the shortage of US dollars in the country. Well-placed sources told The Morning that two ships carrying 3,500 MT each of LPG and one ship carrying 2,000 MT of LPG had docked in Sri Lanka over the past month but that only one 3,500 MT ship and one 2,000 MT ship had been released so far. Meanwhile, the price hike of approximately Rs. 835 for a 12.5 kilogramme (kg) domestic cylinder requested by Litro Gas Lanka Ltd. is yet to come into effect. However, our sources informed that certain outlets and individuals were selling a 12.5 kg domestic cylinder for as high as Rs. 3,500 to desperate customers when the official price is Rs. 2,750. A large-scale gas shortage has plagued the market with news reports showing consumers waiting in queues for multiple days to refill their LPG cylinders. It is also learnt that LPG retailers have received minimum stocks (about 250 cylinders per retailer) from Litro Gas Lanka Ltd., compounding the shortage and queues. The All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association (ACBOA) said this month that about 1,000 bakeries have closed down primarily due to the LPG shortage in the market, coupled with the rising prices of essential goods. Colombo City Restaurant Collective President Harpo Gooneratne also Tweeted last week about the issues faced by restaurants due to the LPG shortage in the market. Laugfs Gas PLC Chairman W.K.H. Wegapitiya said over the weekend that a price hike is inevitable, and will take into account many factors, including the increasing global prices, and the increasing costs of distribution and transportation due to fuel price increases.


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