Sunil Handunnetti, Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development, stated in Parliament today that Litro Gas which supplies 90% of the Sri Lankan gas market fills 2 million gas cylinders per month. In contrast, Laugfs, the other competitor in the market, fills only 300,000 cylinders per month. The Minister made these remarks while responding to allegations leveled by the Opposition regarding the price hike by Laugfs Gas.
Meanwhile, the Minister noted that, taking market demand into account, Litro Gas has placed an order for an additional 100,000 cylinders, with 35,000 of these expected to arrive by December.
The Minister further remarked that the gas price increase appears to be a deliberate move to shape public opinion specifically, to create the impression that gas prices were raised in order to overshadow the various relief measures provided to the public in the Budget. Therefore, he stated that the price hike by Laugfs Gas does not constitute a nationwide gas issue, and that the opposition is attempting to turn it into a crisis.
The Minister, noting that the government is prepared to address this matter, added that there are plans to allow consumers to purchase gas cylinders of any color, regardless of the specific color of the cylinder itself.