News
Gas safety assured, accessories supply handed to duopoly
Cooking gas is safe to use, and only the two gas companies will be allowed to import gas stove accessories, authorities say.
Gas is being tested by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) for its composition ratio and level of ethyl mercaptan, the Ministry of Technology, Secretary, Jayantha de Silva said.
Every shipment is being checked for the 70% /30% butane and propane composition and the ethyl mercaptan concentration, which has been set at 14.
The months-long, incessant gas explosions since November 2021 has caused panic among people
Also, every gas cylinder has been cleaned up before filling, he said.
However, he said users should also be mindful of the accessories.
“It is important to use a standardised hose, clips and regulators,’’ he said.
The SLSI has banned all substandard regulators, clips and hoses.
The duopoly of state-owned Litro Gas and private operator Laugfs Gas will be the sole importers of the items.
“In this way we can assure standard equipment is being imported and the companies will be held accountable for any mishaps that may occur in the future,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, imports of substandard gas stoves has ended and regulations are being drawn to standardise the stoves used in kitchens.
However, imposing high standards on gas cookers will not be practical, as top brands will be expensive for ordinary people. So plans are being made to introduce a national standard on affordable cookers.
“The regulation will be set out in two weeks,’’ Mr de Silva said.
Moreover, domestic gas users are being asked to take precautions. 
They are being asked to detect gas leaks on time, open up windows before switching on the gas, and to avoid turning on electric switches in the room in a hurry.
There are plans to educate users on the safe use of gas for cooking.
“Many people are now panicking. This perception has to be changed,’’ Mr de Silva said.
The months-long, incessant gas explosions since November 2021 has caused panic and many have switched to electric cookers, kerosene, and firewood.
But these alternatives have become expensive. Electric and kerosene oil cookers are now costlier. A small bundle of firewood sells for Rs 250. Besides, there are shortages of kerosene oil and firewood. Hundreds have been seen lining up at petrol stations for kerosene.
Several gas users said that they were waiting for the safety of the supply to improve.
“Electricity is too expensive for cooking,’’ one housewife said.
Litro Gas said the supply has almost reached normalcy and users can walk in and buy, or get it delivered. It is now supplying around 120,000 gas cylinders a day.
People who are keeping unused gas cylinders with the seal intact can return them to the nearest dealer and ask for a replacement. The company also will replace used cylinders, but the exchange would take up to a month.
“We have to check whether there is gas and also weigh the amount of gas that is remaining, to replace,’’ a dealer said.
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