How did the gas shortage occur?

According to the Consumer Affairs Authority, there is currently a shortage in the supply of Laughs Gas in the local market, and as a result of Laughs customers turning to other alternatives, a large demand has been created for Litro Gas. Mr. Hemantha Samarakoone, Chairman of the Consumer Affairs Authority, states that there is no shortage of Litro Gas, and the company has sufficient stocks, so efforts are currently underway to release it to the market at maximum capacity.

However, consumers island-wide state that the Litro Gas shortage, which had been sporadic for about a month, has now intensified. Consumers have had to travel several kilometers to obtain a gas cylinder, and sales agents in the Colombo city limits as well as in outstation areas also state that they have not received sufficient gas stocks for several days. An unnamed Litro company official stated that delays in gas ordering and lack of stock have contributed to this situation.

In this regard, Litro Company, issuing a statement today, February 20, 2026, emphasizes that there is no gas shortage in the market, and only minor disruptions occurred in the supply chain due to an unexpected surge in demand. To alleviate the situation, 284,000 gas cylinders were released on the 17th and 18th, and as of today, steps have been taken to release another 351,000 cylinders to the market. Furthermore, the company announced that three gas-carrying vessels are expected to arrive in the country before the end of this month.

Meanwhile, a report issued by the National Audit Office has revealed facts regarding the practical problems faced by Litro Company. It states that the company has limited storage capacity, thus losing the opportunity to purchase large quantities of gas from the global market at lower prices. Only 8,000 metric tons can be stored at the Kerawalapitiya storage facility, and only 400 metric tons at the Mabima storage facility, which stores gas purchased for industries from the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. Limited buoy facilities have also contributed to this situation. However, Litro Company has informed the audit that a tender process has now been initiated to appoint consultants for feasibility studies to expand storage capacity.

On the other hand, Laughs Gas Company, issuing a statement, says that their supply has been hampered due to regulatory limitations for domestic supplies associated with the storage terminal located at Hambantota Port. Efforts are underway with authorities to remove these obstacles, and arrangements have now been made to import gas directly through the Port of Colombo to meet the existing demand. Accordingly, a vessel carrying Laughs gas stocks is scheduled to arrive in the island on the 25th, and the company has announced that supply to the market will resume from the 26th.

In this situation, the Consumer Affairs Authority urges the public not to create an artificial shortage by purchasing large quantities of gas at once due to unnecessary fear. The Authority further emphasizes that the law will be strictly enforced against traders who hoard existing gas stocks and sell them at higher prices, regardless of their status, and that all district officials have been instructed to carry out strict raids island-wide for this purpose.