At the moment there is no Sri Lanka Standard Institution (SLSI) standard for LP gas in the country, the Litro Gas Company informed Court of Appeal today.

President's Counsel Harsha Amarasekara appearing for Litro Gas Company made these remarks when the writ petition filed against the authorities for allegedly releasing unsafe gas cylinders to the market was taken up before Court of Appeal.

Mr. Amarasekara informed court that SLSI will decide new standard for LP gas and cylinders will be released to the market with a sticker.

Meanwhile, the Litro Gas Company gave an undertaking to display the composition of the gas by way of a stickier following the recommendations of SLSI.

The petitioner Nagananda Kodituwakku informed court that life of people is paramount important and authorities should ensure safety of the people. He sought an order directing the authorities to collect the gas cylinders issued to the public without proper standard.

Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising Justice Ruwan Fernando and Justice Sampath Wijeratne fixed the petition for further support on Thursday (16).

General Secretary of Vinivida Peramuna Nagananda Kodituwakku filed this writ petition seeking an order directing the IGP to initiate criminal investigation against Minister Bandula Gunawardene, State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Consumer Affairs Authority Chairman and Director General of Sri Lanka Standard Institution for allegedly releasing unsafe gas cylinders to the market.

The petitioner is further seeking an order directing the authorities to formulate healthy and safety standards for LP gas cylinders.

The Petitioner states that due to sheer negligence on the part of the Consumer Affairs Authority Chairman D.M.S. Dissanayaka and Director General of Sri Lanka Standard Institution Siddhika Senarathne some consumers who use the LP gas cylinders have suffered physical injury and damage to their private properties due to the explosions caused by leakage of gas from the unsafe gas cylinders which were only meant to withstand the pressure generated by the composition of Butane 80% and Propane 20%. The Petitioner states that these explosions occur on daily basis with no corrective measures taken by the Respondents to arrest the situation. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)