Following the number of explosions related to domestic gas cylinders in Sri Lanka, the United Nations Sri Lankan office has issued an internal security advisory for its employees.
The internal memo titled ‘Gas leakage related explosions’ said,
“An increase has been observed in the number of explosions related to domestic gas cylinders in Sri Lanka in the last few weeks. The Sri Lanka’s Consumer Affairs Authority has stated that 12 samples from various areas were obtained in order to test the quality of gas and to find the reason behind such incidents.”
The UN Sri Lanka then provided some safety tips on the storage and use of domestic gas cylinders to avoid explosions.
• Always keep the LPG cylinders in a vertical position with the valve on top.
• LPG cylinders must be installed at ground level and never below ground level or in basements etc.
• LPG cylinders should never be used in a poorly ventilated room.
• If LPG cylinders are placed in cupboards, they should be provided with ventilation openings both at floor level and at the top level.
• Do not store LPG cylinders inside a kitchen other than the domestic cylinder in use, whether they are full or empty.
• Do not install cooking appliances on the floor or on wooden tables.
• Implement fire safety measures in/near the kitchen I.e. installation of smoke/gas leakage detector, heat detector and fire extinguisher (Chemical powder).
• In case you feel the gas smell, leave the area immediately and look for an open area.
• Keep your first aid kit updated.
• Know your emergency exit and assembly area in your building.
• In a restaurant, reserve your table in an open area or opt a table which Is located at a distance from the kitchen area.
• Emergency contact numbers (including Fire Department number) should be affixed to at least one door in the house/apartment.
• Immediately contact the fire department in case you observe any gas smell, smoke or fire: 110 or 0112422222-3 or Police Emergency Assistance:118 / 119,0112433333 /0112421111
Gas explosions: Authorities to obtain reports on gas smell
It has been decided to the release the gas to the local market after obtaining a report on gas smell, during the special meeting of Ministerial Consultative Committee today (1).
The committee met this morning to discuss about recent gas explosions under the chairmanship of Minister of Trade Dr. Bandula Gunawardena.
During the meeting, it was also decided to testing the quality of the imported gas on board the ship before it enters the country. Several agreements regarding the change in gas composition affected the current eruptions, importance of using high quality devices and obtaining the reports of the committee appointed by the President within two weeks and implementing its recommendations expeditiously were made during the meeting.
The special Ministerial Consultative Committee was held for further discussion on several issues raised by the Opposition in Parliament on 30 November, discussing on the matter with the involvement of several other parties. Ministry of Trade, State Ministry of Cooperative Services, Marketing Development and Consumer Protection, Ministry of Technology, State Ministry of Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research & Innovation, Sri Lanka Police, Consumer Affairs Authority, Department of Measurement Units, Standards and Services, Litro Gas Lanka Ltd, LAUGFS Gas PLC, Sri Lanka Standards Institute, Sri Lanka Accreditation Board, Officials representing the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, the Ministry of Energy and the Department of Government Analyst were present at this meeting held. Furthermore, the former professor at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Prof. W. D. W. Jayatilaka and Prof. Shantha Walpolage representing the University of Moratuwa were also present. Petroleum expert Nimal de Silva also joined the committee meeting.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa posed a number of questions at the Ministerial Consultative Committee and requesting a reply in writing as soon as possible.
