Writ petition filed Urging IGP to initiate probes against Bandula, Lasantha

by Lakmal Sooriyagoda

A writ petition has been filed before the Court of Appeal 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.  
This petition is to be taken up before Court of Appeal today (9) taking into account the urgent nature of the petition.  

General Secretary of Vinivida Peramuna Nagananda Kodituwakku has filed the petition as a public interest litigation.  

The petitioner is further seeking an order directing the authorities to formulate health 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 Senaratne some consumers who use LP gas cylinders had suffered physical injury and damage to their private properties due to the explosions caused by leakage of gas from unsafe gas cylinders which were only meant to withstand pressure generated by the composition of 80 % Butane  and 20 % Propane. The Petitioner states that these explosions occur on a daily basis with no corrective measures taken by the Respondents to arrest the situation.  

• Negligence on the part of the Consumer Affairs Authority Chairman D.M.S. Dissanayaka and Director General of Sri Lanka Standard Institution Siddhika Senaratne  are cited in the petition