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Change in gas composition main cause of explosions

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Presidential spokesman Kingsley Ratnayake (left) and Litro Chairman Theshara Jayasinghe meeting the media

Presidential Committee contradicts Litro Chairman

By Rathindra Kuruwita and Shamindra Ferdinando

A simmering controversy over gas-related explosions has taken an unexpected turn with Prof. Shantha Walpolage, the Chairman of the Committee appointed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to probe the recent gas explosions, concluding that the change in the composition of gas was the primary reason for the recent gas-related explosions,

They came to the conclusion following theoretical and on-site inspections, Prof. Walpolage said.

“The composition of the gas had changed but cylinders, regulators, stoves and other equipment have not,” he noted.

Since November 2021 around 900 gas related explosions have taken place.

A Committee was appointed by the President on November 30 to look into those incidents.

Attorney-at-Law Nagananda Kodituwakku moved the Supreme Court against the gas suppliers recently. The case is pending in courts.

However, the Presidential Media Division on Monday (20) quoted Litro Gas Limited Chairman Theshara Jayasinghe as having said that there was no change in the composition of Litro Gas and steps had been taken to obtain recommendations from foreign experts in that regard and that the people should not have any undue fear when using LP (Liquefied Petroleum) Gas. The Chairman said this while speaking at a media briefing organised by the Presidential Media Center on Monday (20). President’s Media Spokesman Kingsly Rathnayaka moderated the media briefing. Though some factions had suggested that the cause of the gas leaks and explosions was a change in its composition, it had now been confirmed that none of the incidents reported so far had been caused by a change in the composition of LP gas, Jayasinghe said.

The Chairman of Litro Gas Limited said that the company had agreed to provide an insurance cover of one million rupees per person if such an incident is reported due to the poor standard of the gas.

Former Executive Director of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) Thushan Gunawardena several months ago warned of the danger posed by the change of the composition of gas. Gunawardena told The Island that he had brought the crisis to the attention of Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardane, Consumer Affairs State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna and other officials.

Gunawardena, who quit his post on 22 Sept. over a dispute with Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardane and Co-operative Services, Marketing Development and Consumer Protection State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna following the exposure of the garlic scam at Lak Sathosa said that months before his resignation he brought the situation to the notice of the two ministers. Litro suppressed the change of composition ratio of Butane and Propane in domestic LPG cylinders. The change of composition posed a grave danger, Gunawardena said, pointing out that his repeated warnings were discarded.

The CAA Chairman retired Maj. Gen. Shantha Dissanayake ignored his concerns as regards the grave danger posed by increasing the propane ratio in the composition. Gunawardena made available to The Island the entire set of e-mails exchanged among officials in this regard in the wake of Litro introducing what it called a new premium hybrid 18 litre LPG (9.18 kg) cylinder priced at Rs 1,395 in April this year. Litro withdrew the new product several weeks later in the wake of media outcry over Litro actually over charging hapless consumers Rs. 151.96 per kilo whereas the regular 12.5 kg gas cylinder at that time cost Rs.1, 493. In Oct the price of a 12.5 kg domestic gas cylinder was increased by Rs. 1,257 and the major domestic cylinder sold at Rs. 2,750.

Responding to another query, Gunawardena said that when the CAA raised the composition of domestic gas cylinder, Litro deliberately deceived the regulator. Declaring that tests proved the Litro had lied to the regulator regarding the relatively sharp increase in the propane ratio in the composition at the expense of safety and security of the consumer, Gunawardena emphasized the failure on their part to take tangible measures.

In addition to the Cabinet minister and the State Minister, the unprecedented threat posed by change in Propane and Butane ratio in LPG cylinders was also brought to the notice of the President’s Office, the Attorney General’s Department, Board members of the CAA, Trade Secretary and Co-operative Services, Marketing Development and Consumer Protection State Secretary, Gunawardena said.



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Vraie Cally Balthazaar elected Mayor of Colombo MC

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National People’s Power (NPP) councilor Vraie Cally Balthazaar has been elected as the new Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC).

Councilor Balthazaar received 61 votes while Riza Zarook of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya obtained 54 votes at the election.

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Numerous Clean Sri Lanka initiatives were implemented in Anuradhapura during Poson week

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Aligned with the 2025 National Poson Festival, the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat spearheaded several environmentally conscious initiatives during Poson Week, including maintaining cleanliness in areas surrounding the Atamasthana (Eight Sacred Places). Key waste management measures included the establishment of permanent, covered enclosures for biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste receptacles near the Atamasthana and Mihintale. Dedicated plastic bottle collection bins were strategically placed alongside general waste bins and in collaboration with Ceypetco, discarded barrels were repurposed as waste containers.

Significant support came from sponsors including the Irrigation Department, ARPICO, Rambewa Mechanical Engineering Works, the Cargills and Keells Group (for plastic containers), Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka (for plastic collection bins), and Ceypetco and the Sri Lanka Army (for waste bins).

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Waste bins for bridge areas were supplied by Phoenix Industries and ARPICO, while informational signage around the Sacred City was sponsored by AIA, Ceylinco and Sri Lanka Insurance. Overall coordination was managed by the Anuradhapura Municipal Commissioner.

A Clean Sri Lanka coordination centre established within the Poson Zone facilitated awareness programmes for schoolchildren and the general public on themes such as environmental stewardship and intergenerational responsibility. These efforts involved Provincial and District Secretaries and institutions including the Post-Harvest Technology Institute. Additional programmes were held targeting public officials and citizens focused on national food security, financial literacy and ethical public service.

Environmental sustainability projects carried out during the week included canal cleaning in collaboration with the Irrigation Department, Provincial Irrigation Department and the Department of Agrarian Development and a tree-planting initiative titled “Environmental Security” in partnership with the Forest Conservation Department and school communities.

Personality development and leadership workshops were also conducted. A full-day session was held on 7 June 2025 at St. Thomas’ College, Anuradhapura (7:30 AM to 7:30 PM), sponsored by Perera & Sons, the Anuradhapura Lions Club and the Dream Force Sri Lanka Society. Similar workshops were conducted at Maithripala Senanayake Vidyalaya and Swarnamali Balika Vidyalaya.

On 11 June 2025, a morning awareness session for rural farmers was held, covering Post-Harvest Technology (presented by  C.R. Gunawardana, National Post-Harvest Management Institute) and Financial Management (presented by Duminda Disanayake, Central Bank of Sri Lanka), featuring a special address by MP Susantha Kumara Navaratne.

On the morning of 12 June 2025, the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat and the Anuradhapura Municipal Council jointly conducted a waste removal drive at the Basawakkulama Wewa tank bund, extracting plastic, polythene and other refuse. Participants included venerable monks from the Sri Lanka Bhikkhu University Bhikkhu Student Association, Anuradhapura Mayor  N. Karunaratne, the Association President and lay devotees. That afternoon, the Secretariat’s Music Therapy programme began at the Surapura Open Air Theatre, Anuradhapura, attended by over a thousand personnel from the armed forces, police, Civil Security Department and state institutions.

A special lecture was also delivered by Clinical Psychologist Dr. Madhura Gunawardana.

[PMD]

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Workshop on the use of AI to enhance the efficiency and productivity of the public service

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A special workshop on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to transform the public service into a more productive and efficient entity was held on Sunday (15) at Temple Trees.

Titled “AI for Transforming Public Service,” the workshop was attended by officials of the Presidential Secretariat. It aimed to serve as an initial orientation for a major government initiative, the digitalization of the public service, by raising awareness and preparing officials, while also fostering a positive perception of artificial intelligence within the public sector.

Dr. Hans Wijesuriya, Senior Advisor to the President on the Digital Economy, delivered the keynote address. Sanjaya Karunaseena, Executive Director of the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka, also presented a brief address. Subsequently, Harsha Purasinghe and Samisa Abeysinghe, board members of ICTA, conducted awareness sessions incorporating practical demonstrations.

The event was also attended by the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage and several other senior officials from the Presidential Secretariat.

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