Apr 25, Colombo: Lasantha Alagiyawanna, State Minister of Co-operative Services, Marketing Development and Consumer Protection says the government will allow a shortage of LP gas or increase in prices of gas.

Litro Gas Company has launched a new version of the 12.5 kg domestic gas cylinder to the market as an 18 liter Premium Hybrid Cylinder at a price of 1395 rupees.

A 12.5 kg domestic gas cylinder is sold for 1495 rupees.

However, the introductory price of the new 18 liter gas cylinder is Rs. 1395. The company said it would meet the monthly gas needs of a family of four.

The company had also taken steps to show that the customer would get an advantage of Rs. 100 from the new gas cylinder. However, the 12.5-kilogram gas cylinder contained 24.5 liters of gas.

But the new 18-liter gas cylinder contains only 9.18 kilograms of gas. Accordingly the amount of gas in the new gas cylinder has been reduced by 3.32 kilograms.

That volume is 6.5 liters. According to the previous gas cylinder a liter of gas was sold for Rs. 61 while a liter of gas in the new gas cylinder is Rs. 77.50.

Since the price of a kilogram of gas is approximately 125 rupees, consumers say reducing the price by Rs. 100 for 3.32 kg of reduced weight of gas is not fair.

However, State Minister Alagiyawanna at a media briefing held Saturday assured that there will be no shortage of gas and prices will not be increased.

He said that three state institutions have been informed of the product which Litro Gas Lanka claims to have higher efficiency.

“Once we receive a report by next Friday on the technical aspect of this matter, we will hold discussions with Litro Gas Lanka and take the relevant steps, if there are any changes that needs to be done,” he said.