SriLanka, Nov. 15 -- Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunetti yesterday criticised the country's privately owned LP gas supplier, LAUGFS Gas PLC (Yellow Cylinders), over its decision to increase domestic gas prices, claiming that the move was aimed at creating an unnecessary controversy during the Budget period.

LAUGFS Gas returned to the market over the weekend following three months of supply shortages, after a 3,000-metric-tonne shipment arrived in the country on Friday. Following the resumption of supplies, the company announced on Friday evening that the price of a 12.5kg LP gas cylinder would increase by Rs.1,775 (35.7 per cent) to Rs.6,740 from Rs.4,965. Prices of the 5kg and 2kg cylinders were also incr...