80,000 gas cylinder distribution possible only if weather turns calm: LITRO Chief

With the receipt of 3,900MT of gas yesterday, LITRO Lanka said that they would be able to distribute 80,000 gas cylinders per day provided the calm weather returns, it's Chairman Vijitha Herath today said.

He told the Daily Mirror that only 8,000 domestic gas cylinders were managed to be distributed on Wednesday (18), rather than the expected     80,000 due to adverse weather. 

"The gas shipment has already sailed into the ports, but we are unable to unload it due to the rough sea situation." The company had managed to distribute 35,000 gas cylinders around the country.     30,000 gas cylinders were delivered to other provinces and only 5,000 cannisters were distributed in the Western province," the Chairman said.

However, the LITRO has planned to distribute 50,000 domestic gas cylinders today around Colombo, its suburbs and to other provinces.

"Currently, there is a shortage of 3.5 million gas cylinders, which is closer to 30,000MT in the market. Even though the distribution is increased to 80,000 per day, the current gas shortage in the market cannot be met immediately, "Chairman Herath said.

Therefore, he requested the consumers to limit their time they spend in queues. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)