Laugfs up, Shell down

Irangika Range

The price of a 12.5kg Shell gas cylinder will be reduced by Rs.53 with effect from midnight tonight, said Trade, Marketing Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Services Minister Bandula Gunawardena.

Addressing a media-briefing in Colombo yesterday, the Minister said the price of a 12.5 kg Laugfs gas cylinder will be increased by Rs.100 following approval of the Price Committee of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA).

Accordingly, the new price of a 12.5kg Laughs gas cylinder will be Rs.1,407 while a price of a 12.5kg Shell gas cylinder will be Rs.1,447.

The Minister said the Laugfs Gas Company has increased its gas imports in gradual steps. The prices of the products made out of fuel has also increased in the world market. Therefore, these reasons had resulted in increasing the price of a 12.5kg Laugfs gas cylinder by Rs.100.

Meanwhile, the Shell Gas Company and Laugfs Gas Company had requested to increase the prices of 12.5kg Shell gas cylinder and Laugfs gas cylinder up to Rs.1512 and Rs.1346 respectively, but the CAA did not permit it.

"The Government is fully committed to provide maximum relief to consumers and this price revision has been made after two months," the Minister said.

The Minister said that several print and electronic media had published news reports on gas price hike, before the Government declared the revised prices of gas. This situation has compelled consumers to purchase gas unnecessarily at higher prices. Therefore, the Minister urged consumers to purchase gas only after the Government declares revised prices.