Sri Lanka’s primary gas suppliers Litro Gas Lanka and Laugfs Gas have decided to temporarily suspend the distribution of gas.
The Chairmen of the two gas companies announced today that the operations have been suspended as gas shipments have not been received as yet.
Litro Gas has said it has been forced to temporarily suspend the distribution of gas due to a lack of necessary stocks.
The company said that, however, gas will be distributed in limited stocks for essential services.
Meanwhile, Laugfs Gas has also confirmed that it has temporarily suspended the distribution of gas.
Laugfs Gas Chairman W. K. H. Wegapitiya said it is waiting for the banks to open the Letters of Credit (LC) to purchase liquified petroleum (LP).
Wegapitiya said once the issues pertaining to opening LCs are resolved, then the company will continue the distribution of LP gas.
He reminded the public to remember that the shortage of LP gas is not a local problem, but a global problem.
Stating that the world market is facing shortages of petrol, diesel, and LP gas, he said, however, Laugfs Gas has managed to somehow supply to the local demand.
Despite several ships with LP gas having docked at the Colombo Port, the Government is unable to make the necessary payments to release the ships due to the shortage of dollars in Sri Lanka.
Earlier, both Litro Gas and Laugfs Gas had announced that they are to suspend operations due to banks not permitting the opening of Letters of Credit (LC) for the purchase of gas.
However, following a discussion with the Government, the issues surrounding LCs had been resolved with the distribution of gas continuing.
A gas shortage has once again been reported in Sri Lanka, with the public being forced to stand in long queues for several hours to obtain or refill gas cylinders.
It has also been reported that gas distributors are also being provided only limited stocks by gas companies further affecting the public.
Several restaurants and eateries are also reported to have shut down due to the shortage of gas in the country. (NewsWire)