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Petitioner demands explanation over change of LPG composition
‘Govt. cannot remain silent over Prof. Walpolage contradicting Litro Chairman’
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Attorney-at-Law Nagananda Kodituwakku says the government owes an explanation as regards recent gas explosions, especially in the wake of the declaration made by Prof. Shantha Walpolage, the Chairman of the Committee, appointed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to probe the recent gas-related incidents, that the change in the composition of gas in 12.5 kg domestic gas cylinders was the cause of the continuing blasts.
Kodituwakku, who has moved the Court of Appeal, in his capacity as the General Secretary of the Vinivida Foundation seeking a series of immediate measures to prevent further harm to the public, told The Island yesterday Prof. Walpolage had not only confirmed the basis for his petition but also contradicted Litro Chairman Theshara Jayasinghe.
The civil society activist pointed out that Prof. Walpolage made the Committee’s position clear at a media briefing held at the Government Information Department on Dec 21, the day after he handed over the report to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Responding to another query, Kodituwakku said what really shocked him was that on the day Prof. Walpolage handed over the report, the Litro Chairman told a media briefing arranged by the President’s Media Division the gas composition hadn’t been changed.
Lawyer Kodituwakku has moved the Court of Appeal in terms of Article 140 of the Constitution. Among the 10 respondents are gas suppliers, SLIC owned Litro and private enterprise Laugfs Gas PLC and trade minister Bandula Gunawardena and Consumer Protection State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna.
Chaired by Prof Shantha Walpolage of the University of Moratuwa, the committee comprised Senior Deputy Inspector General (SDIG) Deshabandu Tennakoon, Prof. Ajith de Alwis of University of Moratuwa, Prof. W.D.W. Jayathilaka of University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Prof. Pradeep Jayaweera, Commissioner of the Sri Lanka Inventors Commission Prof Narayan Sirimuthu, Additional Director General of Technical Services Dr. Sudarshana Somasiri and Senior Deputy Director of the Sri Lanka Standards institute Sujeewa Mahagama.
The committee also obtained the assistance of Dr. Saliya Jayasekara of the University of Moratuwa.
Lawyer Kodituwakku pointed out that Senior DIG Tennakoon, who had been a member of Prof. Walpolage’s team was present at the PMD media briefing where the Litro Chairman insisted the original composition remained. Secretary to the Ministry of Technology Jayantha de Silva who had been present at the handing over of the committee report to the President also participated at the PMD media briefing, Kodituwakku said. He said that the PMD website still carried a comprehensive report titled ‘No change in Litro gas composition and no need to have any unnecessary fear.’
Public litigation activist Koditiwakku alleged that a major fraud had been perpetrated by those responsible for ensuring safety and security of the people. The petitioner said that subsequent to the handing over of the report to the President, Secretary to the Ministry of Technology Jayantha de Silva acknowledged on ‘Hiru’ that he was not aware who ordered the change in gas composition in the domestic cylinder.
Petitioner questioned the failure on the part of the Secretary to the Ministry of Technology to establish the circumstances under which the composition was changed.
The Court of Appeal bench comprising Justice Dr. Ruwan Fernando and Justice Sampath K.B. Wijeratne on Dec 17 delivered judgment in respect of the petition filed by lawyer Kodituwakku.
Kodituwakku challenged gas suppliers’ claim they retained 80 percent Butane and 20 percent Propane composition. The activist asserted that the lives of consumers were at serious risk due to the change of the composition.
Asked whether the petitioner had obtained information that could prove the Litro management might still resort to change of gas composition, lawyer Kodituwakku said that he submitted to Court of Appeal a document issued by the Director, HSE & Quality Assurance, Litro Jayantha Basnayake with regard to the claimed comparative advantages of the gas composition new premium hybrid 18 liter gas cylinder due to the increase in the Propane content. Kodituwakku said that the official compared the advantage of the new product due to the change of the composition with that of 12.5 kg cylinder.
Kodituwakku said that the change of composition by increasing the Propane content resulted in sharp reduction of the period consumers were able to use a cylinder. In other words, the change of composition was meant to enhance sales at the expense of foreign exchange, he pointed out.
Kodituwakku said that the happenings at the Litro should be investigated. The government couldn’t turn a blind eye to the shocking revelations at the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) the previous Litro management blocked the government audit for two years before Theshara Jayasinghe was brought in July 2021 in place Anil Koswatte.
Kodituwakku said that the Opposition as well as the media should have vigorously campaigned against gas-related explosions. There hadn’t been previous such instances that affected consumers in all parts of the country simultaneously, Kodituwakku said.
How could the government remain silent when SLIC owned 99 percent of Litro shares? Kodituwakku asked, urging civil society organizations to take up the case.
In spite of repeated assurances given to the public, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) and suppliers hadn’t complied with the Court of Appeal directives issued on Dec 17, Kodituwakku said.
The Court of Appeal directed:
Preventing and/or prohibiting the 4th (Laugfs) and 5th (Litro) Respondents from releasing gas cylinders meant for domestic use without (i) displaying on the gas cylinders the gas composition as may be prescribed by the Sri Lanka Standards Institute (2nd Respondent); (ii) the required level of Ethyl Mercaptan in the gas cylinders as may be prescribed by the Sri Lanka Standards Institute (Mrs. Siddhika Senaratne, DG, Sri Lanka Standards Institute 2 nd Respondent); and (iii) the shrink wrap in the respective colours as stipulated by the Consumer Affairs Authority (Maj. General Shantha Dissanayake, Chairman, CAA 1st Respondent), until proper investigations are carried out by the 1st and 2nd Respondents.2.Directing the 4th and the 5th Respondents to recall all full, sealed and unused gas cylinders meant for domestic use that are either available in the market or with the consumers (if such consumers so wished to return), and replace those recalled gas cylinders with new full gas cylinders on a free of charge basis until the above order is satisfied.
The case will be taken up again on Dec 31.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
