Gas scarcity force closure of eateries in most areas including Colombo

By Chaturanga Samarawickrama  

A large number of hotels, restaurants and bakeries across the country have been closed due to power, fuel, and gas scarcity yesterday too while the government claimed that Litro Gas, the local liquefied gas company began production yesterday with the arrival of 2, 500 MT of domestic gas shipment.  

Our reporters confirmed that there were no places to have any meals in most of the areas as almost all shops, restaurants and hotels closed due to the shortage of gas and electricity.  
“More than 60% of the hotels, restaurants and bakeries across the country have been closed due to power, fuel, and gas scarcity,” the canteen, hotel and bakery owners’ associations said.  

They said many people who make their living providing food are in grave difficulties.  

All Island Canteen Owners’ Association (AICOA) Head Asela Sampath also said more than 60% of canteens, hotels, bakeries and food processing institutions have been closed in Colombo city namely Borella and Maradana due to lack of gas. He urged the government to provide immediate solutions to provide sufficient gas. If not, the whole country would be made to starve. The hotel owners said the gas in hand with them is hardly sufficient for one or two days. There are no other means for us to earn a living after that. They charged that they could not even find kerosene as alternative fuel to continue with their businesses.  

The unavailability of gas has also affected the crematoria in several areas.  

Meanwhile, Trade Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna told Daily Mirror last evening that the Litro Company had informed the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) that the required gas would be supplied to the market continuously.  

The Minister admitted that essential commodities such as fuel and gas are in short supply in the country.