‘LankaTruth’ published a news item on the 17th revealing that a serious gas fraud was being committed after the companies involved in the gas price hike had to temporarily withdraw their efforts before the New Year festive season. The National Movement to Protect Consumers’ Rights also made an announcement regarding this.
Litro Gas Company has marked a 12 Kilogram gas cylinder containing 18 litres of gas without the approval of the Consumer Affairs Authority. This is a reduction of 9.18 grams of gas in a cylinder.
At present the maximum retail price of a 12.5 kg gas cylinder in the Western Province is Rs. 1493 / = and accordingly the price of a kilo of gas is Rs. 119.44.
According to the latest methodology by Litro, the price of an 18-litre gas cylinder is Rs. 1395 / =. (9.18 kg) Accordingly, the price of a kilo of gas is 151.96.
Accordingly, the consumer is subtly deceived into paying Rs. 32 per kilo of gas and the amount extorted from the consumer from a gas cylinder is Rs. 406.50. This shows that Litro Gas is fooling consumers in Sri Lanka and violating valid laws.
In addition, it is reported that the combustion of these gas is low and the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere is about 50%. Sources say the gas will not be fully combusted. Accordingly, this has also degraded the standard and it is emerging as an environmental issue.
