News
Interim relief will cause havoc counsel for gas company maintains
By Chitra Weerarathne
Additional Solicitor General, Farzana Jameel, PC said that the Consumer Affairs Authority had been directed to recall the old cylinders of gas from the market and to introduce new cylinders with a new colour wrap in future.
Nagananda Kodituwakku told the Court of Appeal that the day before yesterday a mother of four children had died. Public safety should be taken into account. The Attorney General should not be allowed to abuse his office.
Attorney-at-Law Harsha Amarasekera, PC said that the petition filed against the LP gas companies, did not give a proper picture.
The Court questioned whether the gas producing institutions would introduce a label indicating the composition of the gas, etc.
HAmarasekera replied that he needed to get instructions from his clients on that subject. He appeared for the producers of Litro Gas Pvt. Limited. He explained that a chemical was to be introduced to the LP gas so that a smell would emanate if there was any leak. Incidents of accidents this year were less than last year.
Social media have highlighted the events.
The President had instructed the police to produce a report on incidents of explosions, counsel Amarasekera said.
The Counsel asked for time to ascertain the composition of the LP gas as regards propane and methane.
Additional Solicitor General Farzana Jameel, PC said that directions had been given by the authorities to recall old sealed cylinders from the market. The Consumer Affairs Authority would have a new colour wrap on the cylinders in the future.
The Committee appointed by the President had submitted the report on the issue, Counsel Amarasekera said.
Petitioner Naganada Kodituwakku said that the Minister himself had admitted in Parliament there was a danger to people. The composition in Litro Gas containers was wrong as regards propane-butane ratio.
The petitioner requested for interim relief against the distribution of cylinders of gas.
Amarasekera PC said that the interim relief sought by Kodituwakku would create havoc. The Government Analyst had said that most of the media reports as regards the composition and explosion were false.
The petitioner was asking for interim relief only to get publicity and not to protect the people, counsel Amarasekera alleged.
Interim relief would affect everyone using gas. Only a very small percentage of gas consumers had been injured, he added.
Counsel Suren de Silva appearing for Laugfs Gas Pvt. Limited said that social media had created havoc. The problem was not with the composition of the gas, not even with the cylinders, but might be with the new accessories introduced.
The bench comprised Justice K. Priyantha Fernando (President of the Court of Appeal) and Justice Sampath B. Abeykoon.
Hearing is to be resumed today (15).
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
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Trump to meet Venezuelan opposition leader Machado at the White House
Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
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