News

Litro goes for bulk buying to end gas queues

Published

4 years ago

2022/06/21

Litro Gas Lanka yesterday announced that it was looking at the possibility of bulk buying as opposed to ad-hoc purchasing to manage the domestic demand.

A spokesperson for Litro Gas Lanka said that the government had given the green light for pursuing the proposed plan to mitigate the current crisis: “Litro Gas Lanka caters to the demand from BOI, Export Processing Zones and other export-oriented industries, and sectors that are critical to the economy and bring in much-needed forex. Litro Gas Lanka single-handedly managed to cover the country’s critical industries – including the HORECA category – undertaking the challenge of catering to its own demographic as well as the market segment dependent on its competitor, the only other LPG supplier, for the duration of 3-4 months it was unable to actively meet the demand.”

Detailing the negotiation process for the contingency order, he said that SIAM Gas of Singapore offered the lowest rate of USD 96 as the shipping cost for a Metric tonne of LPG for the 2022/2023 tender but failed to release the consignment until a standby Letter of Credit (SBLC) to the value of USD 30mn was furnished. Further, SIAM Gas had also informed that the required quantity of 15,000 MT couldn’t be provided but 6,600 MT could be arranged instead, 10 days from the date of LOC. It was also informed this consignment would be provided at USD 112 instead of formerly quoted USD 96.

As such, Litro Gas opted for the second lowest bid of a minimum quantity of 100,000 MT at USD 129 from Omani Trading (OQ Trading), based on the decision taken at the Cabinet meeting held on June 8 – taking into account the feasibility and time considerations. The USD 17 difference between the two aforementioned bidders translates to less than Rs. 80 per cylinder, which is not a significant burden proportional to the inconvenience faced by the public due to lack of LPG in the market.

Litro Gas Lanka wished to clarify that SIAM Gas was left out from this contingent purchase not due to an issue involving commissions, as falsely claimed by certain media reports, but rather due to the stipulations and demands put forward by the supplier at this critical juncture. Logistical limitations, such as not having adequate vessels for delivery, was also a reason for ruling out SIAM Gas as a supplier for the contingency shipment, as well as the long term. The total requirement would have needed four vessels, over a period of six weeks, which SIAM Gas could not confirm. Even the vessel allocated for the Spot (contingency) was over 26 years old. These factors, too, contributed to Litro Gas looking for more reliable, dependable suppliers for the short and long terms.

The initial approval to secure LPG from SIAM Gas was granted by the Cabinet, two months ago, during the tenure of the previous Chairman, but did not materialize and it was against this backdrop that the tender was awarded to the next best alternative, OQ Trading, to expedite the process.

During the period Nov 2019 to Dec 2022 it has cost Litro Gas Lanka a staggering Rs.11.1 billion to maintain the price of an LPG cylinder at a constant rate so that LPG was affordable to the average household, which coincided with COVID-19 lockdowns.

Litro Gas Lanka is one of the most profitable SOEs in Sri Lanka, employing a cadre of only 225 permanent staff which is a testament to its efficiency and productivity. The enterprise made available an unprecedented dividend of Rs. 13 bn during the last decade to the National Treasury which is generally used for nation-building activities.

Furthermore, Litro Gas Lanka fulfilled its obligations as a socially responsible corporate by paying Rs. 34.5bn as taxes during the past decade.

As the national provider of LPG, Litro Gas Lanka requests cooperation of all stakeholders to swiftly resolve the present crisis and restore normalcy.

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time

Published

15 mins ago

2026/04/26

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 25 April 2026, valid for 26 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-744649

News

Sagarika derailment disrupts coastal rail line; services to resume in two days

Published

58 mins ago

2026/04/26

Thilina Walpola

Railway General Manager Ravindra Pathmapriya said on Friday that re-railing operations of the derailed ‘Sagarika’ train have already commenced and that services on the Coastal Line are expected to be restored within two days.

Addressing the media, he said the Minister had instructed officials to take all necessary measures to minimise inconvenience to passengers.

Commenting on the incident, he said: “The damaged train is a significant loss for us, especially as our fleet is already limited. We have incurred this loss and hope to rectify the situation promptly. However, we will need to deploy an alternative train in its place, and discussions are currently underway.”

The ‘Sagarika’ train, operating from Beliatta to Maradana, derailed near the Wadduwa Railway Station on Friday morning (24), causing severe damage to one track of the dual-line section.

The Railway Department has since restricted services on the affected Coastal Line up to Panadura Railway Station.

Arrangements have been made to transport passengers from Panadura to South Kalutara by Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) buses, from where train services will resume towards Matara and Beliatta.

Meanwhile, the Department said efforts are underway to clear the obstruction and restore at least one track by the end of the day.

News

PHIs launch Vesak ‘Dansal’ safety registration drive

Published

59 mins ago

2026/04/26

Thilina Walpola

Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) have announced that registration of ‘Dansal’ organised islandwide in view of the upcoming Vesak Poya has already commenced.

President of the Sri Lanka Public Health Inspectors Union (PHIU), K.P. Boralessa, said that organisers intending to conduct ‘Dansal’ are required to inform and register with the PHI attached to the relevant area.

He said organisers must also provide details of the location and the type of ‘Dansal’ being conducted.

Following registration, PHIs will conduct awareness programmes for organisers on maintaining required health and safety standards during the conduct of such events, he added.

Boralessa warned that legal action would be taken against those who organise ‘Dansal’ without proper registration or in an unsafe manner.

He further said PHIs will inspect venues on the eve of each ‘Dansala’ to assess suitability, including waste disposal arrangements, availability of drinking water, quality of water used for cooking, and condition of equipment at the site.

In addition, those involved in food preparation and serving will also be inspected to ensure hygiene standards are maintained, he said.

“These measures are taken to ensure that food provided at ‘Dansal’ is safe and hygienic for the public. Special attention must be paid to the ingredients used, and only healthy ingredients should be utilised,” Boralessa added.