News

Litro allowed to market its controversial hybrid LPG cylinders despite CAA’s objections

Published

5 years ago

2021/05/2

by Suresh Perera

In what industry players summed up as an “incredulous about-turn”, the trade authorities have given the green light to Litro Gas Lanka to market its controversial 18-litre premium hybrid domestic LPG cylinders at its original introductory price, despite strong objections by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA).

The launch of the new domestic cylinders triggered protests by consumers and interest groups as a 12.5-kilogram Litro cooking gas cylinder is sold for Rs. 1,493 in the market, whereas the 9.18 kilogram product has been priced at Rs. 1,395 in spite of the weight being reduced by three kilograms.

In other words, consumers are offered a regular 12.5-kilogram cylinder at Rs. 1,493, but for a mere one hundred rupees less, they have to be content with 9.18 kilograms of cooking gas at Rs. 1,395, industry officials said.

The weight has been given in litres instead of kilograms, as done on regular 12.5kg domestic cylinders, to deceive the public, they asserted.

State Minister of Co-operative Services, Marketing Development and Consumer Protection, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, conceded that Litro Gas has reduced the weight of its new hybrid cylinders introduced to the market and the public has to incur a financial loss as a result.

“We will be asking the CAA to inform Litro Gas to mark the weight in kilograms on the new cylinders and not in litres”, the State Minister told a news conference held at the Ministry on April 24.

It was also pointed out that a different color should be used so that consumers will be able to differentiate between the two products. Otherwise, it could lead to confusion as there’s a difference in weight between them.

“We have asked Litro Gas to withdraw the new cylinders from the market”, Asela Bandara, CAA’s Director of Information, told the media.

Litro had injected the new hybrid cylinders into the marketplace without the permission of the CAA, he said, while blaming the company’s top management for the lapse.

Warning that Litro Gas could face legal action in this regard, Bandara said the CAA has asked the company to stop distribution and withdraw existing stocks from the market.

However, at a meeting on Tuesday evening, State Minister Alagiyawanna gave the go-ahead to Litro to sell the new cooking gas cylinders at the introductory price.

Despite his admission earlier that the public will suffer a financial loss due to the difference in weight, the coast is now clear for the company to market its newly introduced product at the original price of Rs. 1,395, industry officials said.

“The color of the cylinders is bound to change but not the weight”, they said.

Referring to the meeting between the State Minister and Litro officials, the company said in a statement that it was decided “to ensure that 12.5kg cylinders be made available to the public without a shortage”.

“In keeping with the Hon. Minister’s guidelines to provide consumer information and clarify with regard to the new Premium Hybrid 18 Litre Cylinder introduced to the market, Litro Gas Lanka hopes to implement such activities within a week, while keeping the product at the introductory price”, the company’s Chairman/CEO, Anil Koswatte, said in a statement.

Asked what “implementing such activities” meant, a Litro spokesperson declined to elaborate saying it was difficult to comment on questions raised outside the scope of the media statement.

On whether the weight of the hybrid cylinders will remain intact with a change of color merely to differentiate between the two products, she politely refused to entertain questions beyond the media statement issued by the company.

Permitting Litro Gas to market the new cylinders is unacceptable, a senior CAA official protested. “This is unprecedented — it is a fraud perpetrated on consumers”.

The CAA’s letter to Litro asking it to withdraw the new LPG cylinders still stands, he stressed. “The company has violated Section 10 of the Consumer Protection Act and is liable for prosecution”.

“This is a daylight robbery. The State Minister may have granted approval, but the CAA cannot allow consumers to be fleeced through such gimmicks”, he underscored.

When it comes to a grocery store or a supermarket, legal action is filed immediately even if a label of a product is found tampered with. The law cannot be applied selectively, he said.

Small-timers are penalized for violating consumer laws, but when it comes to big companies, they use their clout to wriggle out of the situation”, the official said.

Litro has been told to use a different color to facilitate identification. What will be position if the company decides to change the color of its 12.5kg cylinders? For example, if there are one million cylinders and if 400,000 are initially withdrawn for re-painting, the shortfall will force consumers to buy the new 18-litre ones, he continued.

Technically, there won’t be a dearth of LPG in the market. However, the public will have no option but to buy the 9.18kg cylinders instead of the 12.5kg ones, he said.

“It will be a Hobson’s choice”.

However, the State Minister said Litro Gas was allowed to sell the new cylinders at the introductory price subject to certain conditions. The company should primarily ensure that there’s no shortage of cooking gas in the market.

With the spike in global LPG prices, Litro Gas Lanka has already suffered billions of rupees in losses as the green light to push up the price of cooking gas in the local market was not forthcoming.

The government has resisted consistent demands for a price increase of Rs. 700 per 12.5kg domestic cylinder as it would reflect adversely on the soaring cost of living. However, as a concessionary measure of relief to Litro Gas, the Finance Ministry made an adjustment to the 7.5% Ports and Airport Development Levy.

Asked how the levy works out, a Litro spokesperson promised to check back with the finance division and convey the information. She called back later to say that the finance director wanted The Sunday Island to refer the gazette as it’s a government decision!

However, Litro’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Janaka Pathiratne, said that concessions on levies are insignificant when it comes to a mass scale LPG business that’s incurring Rs. 300 to 400 million in losses per day.

The only solution is to increase the price of a domestic LPG cylinder by Rs. 700, he pointed out. “That’s the way out of the financial crisis”.

The new hybrid 18-litre domestic cylinder was introduced to the market to cut losses as LPG is now sold below procurement cost, sources said.

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News

President Commissions Offshore Patrol Vessel ‘Samudra Vijaya’ into Sri Lanka Navy

Published

5 hours ago

2026/06/5

Priyan

The commissioning ceremony of the deep-sea patrol vessel as Samudravijaya, gifted to the Sri Lanka Navy by the United States Coast Guard to enhance the Navy’s operational capabilities, was held under the patronage of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, on Thursday afternoon (04) at the Eastern Terminal premises of the Port of Colombo.

The vessel was officially handed over to Sri Lanka by the United States Coast Guard on 2 December 2025. Following modifications to meet the operational requirements of the Sri Lanka Navy, the vessel commenced its voyage to Colombo on 20 February 2026 from the United States Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, Maryland.

The induction of the vessel marks a significant step towards further strengthening the operational capabilities of the Sri Lanka Navy and enhancing the country’s maritime and national security. The vessel is expected to make an important contribution to maritime surveillance, search and rescue operations, protection of fisheries resources, environmental monitoring and the enforcement of international maritime laws and conventions. In particular, it will serve as a vital asset in combating narcotics trafficking and other transnational maritime crimes, which remain major challenges for both Sri Lanka and the wider region.

During the ceremony, President Dissanayake presented the official commissioning warrant to the vessel’s Commanding Officer, Captain Gayan Wickramasuriya. The President subsequently unveiled the vessel’s name board and official insignia before undertaking an inspection tour of the ship. The Commander of the Navy briefed those present on the vessel’s operational readiness, systems and capabilities.

President Dissanayake also signed the vessel’s Distinguished Visitors’ Book and was presented with a commemorative plaque featuring a replica of the vessel.

Among those present were Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunatilaka. Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd.), Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd.), Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe. Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasooriya, Charge d’affaires to the U.S. Embassy Ms. Jayne Howell, Senior Defence Official and Defence Attache with Spouse Lieutenant Colonel Matthew House, representatives of the Embassy and senior officers of the Sri Lanka Navy.

(PMD)

News

Elders’ home devastated by fire was a ‘house of horror’: Witnesses

Published

12 hours ago

2026/06/5

Thilina Walpola

Death toll rises to 12: Director remanded

Some residents were allegedly chained

Police have come under public pressure to investigate allegations of inhumane treatmenf the residents at an elders’ home in Batagoda, which was also reportedly used as a care centre for persons with special needs, following a devastating fire that has so far claimed 12 lives.

Eyewitnesses who were among the first responders told the media that several residents had been chained inside rooms at the Senehase Kedella Elders’ Home when the fire broke out on Wednesday. They claimed that rescue efforts were hindered as iron chains could not be removed, and that some residents died while being restrained.

Authorities have not yet verified these claims, and Police said investigations are continuing.

Police spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler, contacted for comment, said there were rumours to that effect, but the Police were not in a position to verify the claims until a report from the Government Analyst was received. He said eight survivors with burn injuries were being treated in hospital.

Meanwhile, the Director of the facility had been arrested and was due to be produced before the Horana Magistrate’s Court, Police said adding that he was remanded till June 11.

The death toll from the fire has risen to 12 as of Thursday morning following the recovery of additional charred remains during ongoing forensic examinations at the site. Six others sustained serious injuries and are being treated at the Horana Base Hospital.

Police said 72 residents were inside the facility at the time of the blaze. Of them, 10 died inside the building, seven were injured and hospitalised, while 51 were rescued and relocated.

Survivors were initially housed at Batagoda Junior School before being transferred with Army assistance to another branch of the same care network in Galpatha.

A magisterial inquiry was conducted on Thursday morning. Horana Magistrate Lakmini Vidanagamage visited the scene. The burnt remains were examined and removed under judicial supervision.

Separately, allegations have emerged that residents were required to pay an admission fee of Rs. 75,000, along with a monthly charge of Rs. 35,000 to the centre. Police have not commented on these claims.

The director was taken to the scene as part of ongoing investigations, while forensic experts continue examinations to determine the cause of the fire, which remains undetermined.Anguruwatota Police are conducting investigations.

By Norman Palihawadane and Nishan S Priyantha

News

CERT : AI-generated videos depicting Prez, PM lure public into financial scams

Published

12 hours ago

2026/06/5

Thilina Walpola

Sri Lanka CERT has issued a public warning over the circulation of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated videos falsely depicting President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and several other prominent personalities to promote fraudulent investment schemes online.

According to complaints received by the national cyber security agency, the videos have been created using deepfake technology and are being used as part of attempts to defraud members of the public through financial scams.

The images of famous sports personalities and other public figures have also been misused in the deceptive content.

The agency has warned that similar AI-generated material has been used to spread false information relating to investment opportunities, employment offers, as well as matters concerning the country’s economy and tax policies.

According to Sri Lanka CERT, the videos are being widely shared across online platforms and frequently contain links urging viewers to make investments in return for purported profits.The agency has cautioned that these links may redirect users to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal information, financial data and money from unsuspecting victims.

Sri Lanka CERT has urged the public to exercise extreme caution when encountering such content online and advised against clicking on suspicious links or sharing personal information through unverified websites.

“The public should remain vigilant and avoid becoming victims of false information and online fraud schemes,” the agency said.

Sri Lanka CERT has also encouraged internet users to verify information through official sources before acting on any investment, employment or financial offers circulated via social media or other online platforms.