State Institution to check quality of gas before unloading from ship: Minister

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera  

Claiming that only private institutions were earlier engaged in testing the quality of domestic gas at the ports, State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna said yesterday a relevant state institution would also be involved in testing the gas sample before unloading them at the ports to ensure that no substandard gas entered the country.   He told Parliament that steps were being taken to update the laws with regard to quality and regulation of domestic gas and that the Sri Lanka Standard Institution (SLSI) had published paper advertisements seeking public opinion on the draft laws.   “The laws on the quality and regulation of domestic gas are being updated. A State Institution will also be involved in testing gas samples before they are unloaded from the ship. It was earlier done by private institutions,” he said.   

the Minister said institutions that are engaged in importing apparatus related to domestic gas cylinders and gas cookers have also been summoned for a discussion with regard to the current situation.  The Minister said he was informed by the President that a separate committee would be appointed comprising of members of the Cooperative Services, Marketing Development and Consumer Protection Ministry and Science and Technology Ministry to look into this issue. 

 
“The President informed me that he was expecting a report by Friday containing short term, mid term and long term solutions to the issue,” he said.