LAUGFS cites reason for gas shortage as Sajith & Wasantha contradict eachother

2026-02-20 - 03:37

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa alleged in Parliament today (19) that the country is facing a severe shortage of cooking gas. He also stated that he would make an appeal on behalf of consumers for an urgent solution to the issue. Minister of Trade Wasantha Samarasinghe responded as follows: “There is a distribution issue involving LAUGFS. Measures have been taken to distribute additional gas to curb any shortage. More ships are due to arrive on Sunday and Tuesday. LAUGFS has been given the necessary instructions to import and distribute gas immediately. Because of the current panic, demand has increased. That is what has happened here. There is no gas shortage in the market. Do not mislead consumers. Gas should be brought in and distributed promptly. This problem has arisen mainly for users of the yellow gas cylinders. There are certain groups creating news claiming that there is a gas shortage. There will absolutely be no gas shortage.” Reason for the shortage Meanwhile, LAUGFS Gas has stated in response to media reports circulating about a temporary shortage of LAUGFS-branded LP gas cylinders in the market. According to the statement, the primary reason for the current shortage of domestic gas cylinders is regulatory restrictions affecting the use of the 30,000-metric-tonne LP gas import–export storage terminal located within the Hambantota Port premises for domestic supply. The company further stated that it is maintaining continuous coordination with the relevant government authorities to expedite the necessary legal processes to release the terminal for local operations. In addition, the statement noted that plans have already been finalised to directly import gas consignments from international suppliers via the Port of Colombo to meet domestic household LP gas demand. Once the gas consignments arrive at the Port of Colombo, arrangements have been made to cylinder the gas at the company’s filling terminals and distribute it continuously across the island. LAUGFS Gas has informed the public that all necessary measures have been put in place to ensure an uninterrupted supply of LP gas within the country.