News
Duopoly not providing daily cooking gas need
Long queues are everywhere you turn Pix by Thusitha Kumara de Silva
Despite assurances of uninterrupted supply by the cooking gas duopoly — state-owned Litro Gas and privately-held Laugfs Gas — thousands of men, women, elderly, and even children are in queues waiting for days demanding cylinders for their homes and small businesses. “Diyaw, diyaw, gas diyaw,’’ is a common chant.
About 100,000 gas canisters a day are needed, it has been estimated.
There have also been regular protests by Sri Lankans at dealerships and agents due to unmet demand.
Laugfs Gas, which had not distributed gas to Lankans for more than three months, claimed that normal supplies have resumed, and that it is issuing “enough’’ cylinders.
Earlier this month, Laugfs Gas also jacked up the price of a 12.5 kg gas cylinder to Rs 6,850 and that of a 5 kg cylinder to Rs 2,740.
Lines at Laugfs sales outlets stretch for several kilometres in many cities.
Laugfs chairman W K H Wegapitiya said distribution resumed three weeks ago and “enough’’ is being supplied. But, he declined to give figures. “I cannot understand why there are queues,’’ he said.
Laughs Gas has distributed a mere 30,000 cylinders countrywide. Mr Wegapitiya alleged there was hoarding for sale at higher prices.
The unprecedented cooking gas shortage is forcing many people to buy from underground operators.
Many people pay others Rs 100 a night to protect their cylinders overnight at queues.
State-owned Litro Gas has stopped supplies for the past two weeks.
On April 26, Litro Gas increased the 12.5kg gas cylinder price to a record Rs 4,860.
Although a shipment of 2,500 metric tons arrived in the first week of June, Litro said the stock will be for essential services such as hospitals, crematoriums and star-rated hotels.
An official said distribution will resume mid-July. He said that two shipments of 7,000 MT are due between July 12-15 and will be enough for four months.
Predicting more gas woes for Lankans, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said US$40 million a month is needed to import cooking gas and that payment is being made with rupees. He asked that gas be used sparingly.
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