No Litro Gas Shortage, Daily Distribution at 100,000 Cylinders

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Minister of Trade Wasantha Samarasinghe says there is currently no shortage of Litro gas in the country.

He said the state-owned blue-coloured cylinder accounts for 80 percent of the domestic gas market and that the company has already signed agreements to import 380,000 metric tonnes of LP gas for this year, ensuring uninterrupted supply.

According to the Minister, 29,174 metric tonnes of LP gas arrived in February, while 38,000 metric tonnes are scheduled to arrive in March.
He noted that the company usually releases around 1,100 metric tonnes per day, but due to recent concerns in the market, triggered after the yellow cylinder supplier stopped distribution, demand for the blue cylinder increased. 

Samarasinghe said households already have both the blue and yellow cylinders, but those who possess only the yellow cylinder faced difficulties when supplies dropped.

He said that during the past few days, Litro had to release 1,400 to 1,500 metric tonnes per day to meet demand. The company, he added, has sufficient stock and distributed 100,000 cylinders yesterday, with another 100,000 to be distributed today and tomorrow, continuing steadily.

The Minister said market inspections showed that around 40 households possess only the yellow cylinder, while about 60 have both types. The concern exists mainly among those who have only the yellow cylinder and are unsure how to cook during the shortage. He stated that the relevant company has been instructed to resume distribution immediately, starting today and tomorrow, and has promised to recommence supply from the 28th.

Samarasinghe added that if this commitment is not met, the Consumer Affairs Authority has been directed to take legal action on grounds of deceiving consumers.