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| Sunday, 29 June 2003 |
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Debate on common gas refilling rages on by Pelham Juriansz The Court of Appeal last week gave an order in favour of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), permitting all LPG manufacturers and traders to accept, refill and sell any make of LP Gas cylinders surrendered to them. Steven Bartholomeusz, Director Sales and Marketing of Shell Gas Lanka Ltd, said that there were no further developments and that he could not shed further light on the matter until June 30, on what further action they will take. The problem that occurs if there is cross-filling, is that Shell cannot ensure the safety of its products. "We are studying the situation and are considering the next course of action to be taken," he said. Laughfs Gas Chief, W.K. Wegapitiya said that Tuesday's court decision would not affect his company as they have already filed action in the Supreme Court and there is a court injunction preventing any party refilling their cylinders. He further said that cross-filling is not done anywhere in the world. "LP Gas is a flammable product. When it leaks, it will expand 250 per cent to become vapour and when it mixes with the open air, it will ignite. Sri Lanka will enter the Guinness Book of Records for cross-filling as it is not done anywhere else in the world. Even in India and Thailand, such practices are not followed," he said. According to Mundo Gas boss, Ariyaseela Wickremanayake, there should not be a monopoly on LP Gas in Sri Lanka and anyone should be allowed to sell gas. "There is no question of cross-filling as the market is open to anyone, and there should be no question of trademarks either. This is unfair trading. There is a standard set by the Government and a common cylinder can be used. "The price of a Shell Gas cylinder was brought down recently when Mundo Gas came into the market. We intend to reduce the price of our cylinder further from the present Rs 495 to about Rs 400 in the future." |
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