The Court of Appeal today issued notice to the defendants, including the Chairman of the Litro Gas Company, the Board of Directors and the Chairman of the Consumer Affairs Authority to appear before the court on April 08.
A notice has been issued to them to present matters related to the petition filed by the relative of the woman who died due to the explosion of the LP cooking gas cylinder.
The order was issued by a panel of judges of the Court of Appeal comprising Labar Tahir and SUP Karaliyadda.
The petition seeks an order directing the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General to take steps to file a case under the murder charge against the responsible officials, including the Chairman of the Litro Gas Company, the Board of Directors and the Chairman of the Consumer Affairs Authority.
President’s Counsel Vijayadasa Rajapaksa, appearing for the petitioner, said that the cooking gas cylinder was required to contain 70% Butane and 30% Propane, but the gas company had changed the fuel composition to include Butane 50% and Propane 50%.
Dushan Gunawardena, former director of operations of the Consumer Affairs Authority, said the change in composition could lead to dangerous situations, including explosions.
Had informed the authorities.
However, the President’s Counsel has pointed out that the amount of the compound has been changed by the gas company without considering it and the cooking gas cylinders have been distributed to the market.