Laugfs chief seeks govt. permission for importing high-quality LPG

by Shiran Ranasinghe

Laugfs is ready to import high quality LPG if the government allows it to open necessary Letters of Credit (LCs), Chairman of the company, W. K. H. Wegapitiya told The Island.

Sri Lankans consumed about 45,000 to 50,000 metric tonnes of gas a month, he said, noting that his company had the capacity to purchase high quality gas in quantities needed.

“If Litro can’t find gas stocks of proper quality, I can help them too. I can’t import gas because the banks won’t open the LCs. If the government allows me to open some LCs, I can solve this crisis,” he said.

Two shipments of gas, 6,900 metric tonnes in total, imported by Litro was found to be without adequate levels of ethyl mercaptan, which is commonly used as an additive to odourless gasses like butane, propane, and petroleum to warn users in case of leaks.