The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has sternly requested for the Government to arrange for damages to be paid to the victims of the recent LP gas cylinder explosions and bring the relevant companies to justice. This was made known through a media release by SJB secretary MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara today (01). In his statement Bandara says that within a short period of time, over 30 LP gas cylinder explosions had occurred, which has caused immense fear and panic amongst the general population. "Government Members of Parliament and Ministers have claimed that the issue is not with the gas cylinders, but with the regulators on the gas cylinders. We want to know why the Government is covering up such an issue and what are they gaining from this," questioned Bandara. He further claimed that the Litro gas company chairman had earlier made a remark stating that a "non-profitable agreement" had been made, with losses up to Rs 10 Billion which have been borne by the gas company. "Someone must be making commissions out of this deal. A fraudulent transaction has taken place through this agreement. By changing the ratio of butane and propane in the gas cylinders, people's lives are at risk. We want to know whether this was a plot to recover the losses which were incurred," Bandara asked. Additionally, Bandara went on to state that it was a well known fact that the ratio of gasses within the cylinder has been tampered with. "Prof. Shantha Walpola from the University of Moratuwa has conducted the preliminary investigations, which have now been handed over to the Consumer Protection Authority. The media has revealed that the reports have been handed over, but the public remains un-informed of the situation," claims Bandara. Further, the statement said that the SJB MPs had informed the Sri Lanka Standards Institute (SLSI) on the information that was discussed at the special committee meeting which was held yesterday, to which no response had been received. Bandara also stated that it was appalling that the Government Ministers who were supposed to attend the special committee meeting yesterday to discuss the pertaining LP gas cylinder explosions were not present at the meeting, and that itself shows their level of concern towards the matter. Meanwhile, Bandara stated that despite the President appointing a special committee to attend to the LP Gas issue, it would prove to be useless as the committee would only find excuses to put aside the issue and cover up the faults of the Government. In conclusion, Bandara reiterates that it was only just to compensate the victims who had undergone the trauma of the gas explosions and bring to justice the company or organisation that has allowed for such destruction to take place amongst the general public.