Suspension of Laugfs Gas supply: NFF irked by govt. inaction

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The National Freedom Front (NFF) has questioned the failure on the part of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) to take tangible measures to compel Laugfs Gas PLC to resume supplies without delay.

SLPP National List MP Mohammed Muzammil (NFF) has written to State Minister of Co-operative Services, Marketing Development and Consumer Protection Lasantha Alagiyawanne, calling for urgent action.

Muzammil has questioned the rationale behind the CAA and the State Ministry turning a blind eye to the Laugfs gas shortage that has caused immense difficulties to a significant number of consumers.

The MP told The Island that he was quite surprised that the company had been allowed to discontinue supplies on the basis that its demand for a price increase was not granted. Those responsible for regulating the gas market couldn’t be unaware that two million Laugfs Gas customers had been placed in an extremely difficult situation, Muzammil said.

In his letter dated August 8, MP Muzammil pointed out to State Minister Alagiyawanna how the CAA received much media coverage when it carried out raids on small time businesses whereas a major corporate body had openly violated the CAA Act.

MP Muzammil has urged State Minister Alagiyawanna to intervene on behalf of the consumers.

W.K.H. Wegapitiya, the founder Chairman of LAUGFS Holdings Limited, the parent company of LAUGFS Gas PLC recently declared that his company cannot supply gas at the current prices.