By Lakmal Sooriyagoda

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) yesterday informed court that it has advised the LPG gas cylinder supplying companies namely Litro Gas and Laugfs Gas Companies to accept partially used defective gas cylinders returned by consumers.

Senior State Counsel Manohara Jayasinghe appearing for the CAA made these remarks pursuant to a writ petition filed challenging the gas companies’ decision to release unsafe gas cylinders to the market was taken up before Court of Appeal.   

Public interest litigation activist Nagananda Kodituwakku who filed this petition alleged that respondent parties including including gas companies have failed to implement the court order to recall partially used gas cylinders that do not conform to the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) standards.  

In reply, SSC Manohara Jayasinghe said CAA has taken steps to publish paper advertisements notifying the general public to return partially used defective gas cylinders to the nearest distribution agents or selling agents in order to get a new gas cylinder with a price reduction, calculated as per the current market prices amounting to the gas remaining in the respective returned gas cylinders.

The CAA further agreed before Court that necessary arrangements will be taken to publish this message on electronic media as well.   Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising Justice Ruwan Fernando and Justice Sampath Wijeratne fixed the petition for support on February 8.  

Counsel who appeared on behalf of the Litro Gas Company sought a further date to support the application since his senior counsel has tested positive for Covid-19. The petitioner Nagananda Kodituwakku stressed the necessity of hearing this case as early as possible since it directly affects the millions of LPG gas consumers in the country.