Today, two ships have also arrived, and gas will be available until the end of April.

Ensuring a continuous domestic gas supply, two ships carrying Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) arrived at the Thaldiyawatta gas unloading buoy in Uswetakeiyawa this morning (18th), and unloading operations have already commenced. Concurrently, authorities confirm that another fuel ship also arrived in the island this morning.

Speaking at a special press conference held yesterday (17th) regarding this matter, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that, taking into account the existing shortage at Laaf's Gas Company, an order for 38,000 metric tons of gas has been placed for this month, instead of the usual 33,000 metric tons required for March. Of this, approximately 24,500 metric tons have already been received by the country, and the President also stated that another 33,000 metric tons of gas are expected to arrive in the island within the next two days.

Although gas was previously supplied to Sri Lanka via the Gulf region through an Omani company, a significant strategic change has been made to that situation this time. Switzerland's 'Geogas' company, which won the tender for gas imports for the year 2026, is currently sourcing gas from the United States and West Africa. Litro Gas Company Chairman Channa Gunawardena points out that to avoid potential disruptions due to the ongoing crisis between Iran and America, new suppliers are routing ships below the African continent towards the Maldives, bypassing the Gulf region. He also emphasized that due to this alternative supply route, the risk of a gas shortage in the country is currently at a very minimal level.

Litro Gas Lanka Limited further confirms that sufficient gas stocks to meet domestic demand until the end of April have been stored in the Maldives. Under this arrangement, a gas ship will arrive in the island every three days, and a ship carrying 88,000 metric tons of gas from the United States is scheduled to reach the Maldives tomorrow. Additionally, another mother vessel named 'Borda' is approaching the Maldives, and another mother vessel from Argentina has commenced its journey via the African continent. Since the remaining gas stocks are expected to arrive on March 21st, 23rd, and 25th, as well as on April 20th, company officials state that all arrangements have been made to meet consumer needs without any shortages.