• It was found that the consignments of gas on two ships which arrived on December 11 and 12 were of inferior quality

By Yohan Perera 

Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa yesterday questioned the rationale behind the decision to unload consignments of gas from the two ships which arrived at the port recently. 

Premadasa raised this question while speaking to journalists after visiting a household in Lunugamwehera where a gas explosion had taken place over the weekend. 

"It was found out that the consignments of gas which board the two ships which arrived on December 11 and 12 were of inferior quality. It was revealed that the Mercaptan level of both consignments was below the recommended standard. The Sri Lanka Standard Institute had rejected the consignments while the Appeal Court had also upheld this decision.

Therefore one wonders as to who had given orders to unload the consignments," he said. 
" This will result in more gas explosions in the near future," he added. 

" I would clearly say that ministers Bandula Gunawardene and Lasantha Alagiyawanna are responsible for the gas crisis," Premadasa said. 

• The Sri Lanka Standard Institute had rejected both consignments while the Appeal Court had also upheld this decision