News
Panic buying fuels gas crisis as Litro vows steady supply
View(s):By Sajeniya Sathanandan
As new shipments of gas reached the country amid an escalating war in West Asia, Sri Lanka’s gas duopoly announced that prices will remain unchanged until the end of March.
Litro Gas Lanka chairman Channa Gunawardana said there would be no change in gas prices until the end of this month, as the price was increased only recently by Rs 300. Even if the price is increased, it will not be a significant hike, he assured, hinting that current prices could remain until mid-April in view of the national new year.
Badulla: Using his gas cylinder as a perch as he waits his turn. Pic by Prasad Rukmal
Mr Gunawardana said a ship carrying 33,000 metric tonnes had reached the Maldives on March 20 and was reloaded onto smaller vessels bound for Colombo.
The arrival of gas is “99.9 per cent certain”, he said, adding that this shipment would ensure adequate supplies through the end of April.
A second vessel, also carrying 33,000 metric tonnes, is scheduled to arrive in Malé on April 21, ensuring supplies for May. “The gas is being sourced from Argentina, a route chosen specifically to avoid the Middle East.”
After the March 11 price hike, a 12.5 kg cylinder of gas is sold in the Colombo district at Rs 3,990, a 5 kg cylinder at Rs 1,602, and a 2.3 kg cylinder at Rs 750.
A senior official of the other supplier, LAUGFS Gas PLC, said the current situation is unpredictable and volatile, making it impossible to provide a clear, fact-based forecast.
Meanwhile, panic buying has led consumers to purchase extra cylinders even when they only need a small supply, and government officials have advised them to behave sensibly regarding consumption patterns.
Gas supplies vary by regions. Retail shops in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, and Mannar receive between 3,000 and 3,500 cylinders daily. While they usually sell about 6,000 cylinders over 30 days, demand has recently spiked to more than 56,000 in just 20 days.
A small retail shop in Nawala now receives only 20 to 30 cylinders at a time, compared to 60 before the crisis. Sometimes supply drops as low as 15 cylinders. Distribution is managed with difficulty, often by rotating customers so that those who missed out one week can obtain a cylinder the next.
A retail shop owner in Wellawatta said he now receives between 100 and 200 cylinders per delivery, fewer than before the crisis. He operates a booking system for home delivery, and demand is rising.
The absence of Laugfs Gas is aggravating the crisis, with its consumers turning to Litro Gas, which is itself in short supply. Laugfs holds 11–18% of the market share.
In Jaffna, people are so afraid of running out that they keep three or four cylinders at home. In Wellawatta, wealthier households are buying multiple cylinders, making it harder for poorer families to access gas. People from suburbs such as Piliyandala are coming into Colombo in search of gas because it is not widely available in their areas.
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!