2026-02-19 / Debate: Judicature (Amendment) Bill and Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading
Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake
2026-02-19
Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake referenced a speech he made two months prior in which he warned that replacing Oman's state gas supplier with a Swiss company — awarded the tender on the basis of a USD 15 price difference — would cause supply disruptions, as the new supplier operated only two ships and had no distribution experience in Asia. He asserted that his prediction of a shortage, made on 25 December, has now proven correct, and cited a Minister's prior assurance to Parliament that no shortage would occur. The speaker called on the government to acknowledge the current gas queues, rejecting suggestions that the Opposition was fabricating or exaggerating the supply crisis.
This is a speech I made here two months ago. I said then that for years Oman’s state company supplied gas to Sri Lanka. You removed that supplier and awarded the tender to a Swiss company that has never distributed gas in Asia. I raised this in December, including on Hiru News. I also said that after awarding the tender to that company, they had only two ships and could not schedule deliveries. Litro could have ensured supply. You gave the tender because it was USD 15 cheaper, but price is not the only factor; availability matters.
I said on 25 December there would be a shortage because the new supplier lacks adequate ships. About 80% of people use Litro. A Minister said in Parliament there would never be a shortage. Yet here we are.
Please give me one more minute. We have no beards—neither you nor I—so accept what we say. The Opposition Leader and I are not creating queues or doing media gimmicks. Accept that there are queues.