A ship carrying 3,500 metric tonnes (MT) of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) that has docked in Sri Lanka was yet to be released as of yesterday (14), The Morning reported.
The Government has been unable to release the ship due to not being able to settle the necessary payment as a result of the dollar shortage in the country.
Two ships carrying 3,500 MT each of LPG and one ship carrying 2,000 MT of LPG are reported to have docked in Sri Lanka over the past month.
According to sources, only one 3,500 MT ship and one 2,000 MT ship had been released so far.
Meanwhile, a request by primary gas supplier Litro Gas Lanka for a price hike of approximately Rs. 835 for a 12.5 kilogram (kg) domestic cylinder is yet to be enforced.
However, it has been reported that certain outlets and individuals were selling a 12.5 kg domestic cylinder for as high as Rs. 3,500 to desperate customers, even though the official price is Rs. 2,750.
A gas shortage has once again been reported in Sri Lanka prompting the public to stand in queues for several hours to obtain or refill a gas cylinder.
It has also been reported that LPG retailers have received minimum stocks of about 250 cylinders per retailer from Litro Gas Lanka Ltd., further impacting the existing gas shortage in the country. (NewsWire)