Import LPG, Shell, says Govt

Shell Gas Lanka Limited will enter into an agreement to make available all the facilities such as staff, cylinders, expertise and other resources to the Government if it imports LPG, said the company's Corporate Affairs Director Dr. Mahesha Ranasoma.

"The Government will only have to provide the raw material", he said.

"We don't want to create a shortage under any circumstance. We will do whatever possible to avert such a shortage, which will hinder the economy and cause inconvenience to the consumers.

As a responsible company, we have to be responsible to our stakeholders. So we can't take any conscious decision to cause losses to the company. Half of the company belongs to the people of Sri Lanka," he said.

If the Government supplies LPG at a cheaper price, we will be really happy as the consumer will be the winner. However prices are set internationally by ARAMCO on a monthly basis. We have to pay this price to import LPG," he said.

"Shell does not want to politicise, the gas problem and cause inconvenience to the consumers," he said. Shell expects the Government will come up with a solution in the interests of the consumers and our stakeholders.

While finding an immediate solution to the looming crisis, a national policy to ensure customer life is not interrupted due to the fluctuating gas prices has to be formulated.