Litro Gas Lanka driving customer focus through innovation and leadership

Litro Gas Lanka Director – Sales and Marketing and Corporate Affairs Janaka Pathirathna

Litro Gas Lanka Ltd. Director – Sales and Marketing and Corporate Affairs Janaka Pathirathna says the company is driving customer focus through innovation and leadership. This article highlights some of the key perspectives on the LPG industry and initiatives of Litro Gas Lanka

Current status of the local and the global LPG industry 

Globally, LPG is growing as a clean and green energy source throughout the world. LPG has emerged as the preferred energy to replace traditional cooking fuels, such as kerosene, wood, and coal, resulting in a growth trajectory across markets and countries. 

LPG is capturing markets in Africa, Asia Pacific, and Central and South America already. In South Asia, India is growing in its LPG usage, with over 60-75% households powered by LPG. In fact, The Economic Times of India reporting in 2019 stated that India has become the second largest domestic LPG consumer in the world. Even in the developed world, the low-carbon footprint of LPG is being chosen increasingly for various domestic and industrial applications. 

In Sri Lanka, LPG is indeed capturing the potential as a cleaner, green energy with high efficiency and low cost operation.

Litro Gas Lanka within the current context as the industry leader of LPG 

Litro Gas Lanka has been able to capture the market with a customer centric approach and a unique positioning as the national LPG provider. Having a rich heritage that goes back to over 150 years when gas was introduced to the country as a reliable energy, Litro Gas Lanka believes that we are positioned at the right place at the right time to harness the potential of the industry. 

With over 76% market share, the company contributes to the national economy with a turnover of Rs. 45 billion, while supplying LPG to over four million households throughout the island and to hundreds of large scale and SME sector commercial operations that rely on efficient and clean energy. It is a unique positioning that empowers us to deliver on the national obligation we possess as the country’s national LPG provider. 

Air pollution resulting from the usage of firewood occurs in many communities – switching to LPG as a clean energy is consistently encouraged by Litro Gas Lanka as the national provider. In this context, partnering with the Samurdhi Department has enabled us to reach the economically challenged with low cost LPG solutions that encourage them to adapt to LPG.

Economic benefits passed on to customers and Litro Gas Lanka initiatives on innovation and customer focus 

Passing on economic benefits to our customers is vital for us as a customer centric company that is constantly dedicated to understanding and meeting their needs. This is primarily done through providing LPG at a stabilised rate to the market despite the changes in the global LPG prices. 

LPG is not just a commodity – it is the most important source of energy for cooking in the country; which is why price fluctuations impact customers. We as a State-Owned Entity are aware of this – keeping our prices competitive therefore is a key consideration for us. We understand our customers well and believe in meeting their needs consistently.

Litro Gas Lanka – the network 

From our plant at Kerawalapitiya recognised as one of Asia’s largest filling plants to the cylinder refurbishment, cylinder requalification and bulk customer LPG delivery hub in Mabima, Sapugaskanda, we run a seamless operation that also includes a bulk storage facility in Hambantota – with 42 distributors, approximately 14,000 point-of-sale locations and 1,500 home delivery hubs, Litro Gas Lanka keeps the Sri Lankan LPG sector going as the leading player. 

This is one of the most efficient and widely spread networks that ensured a consistent supply of LPG, made operational consistently during the COVID-19 lockdown. In addition, our innovative Home Delivery Mobile App gives customers instant connectivity while an easy four-digit helpline (1311) for island-wide home delivery offers customers the ease of ensuring an adequate supply.

Litro Gas Lanka’s response during COVID-19 to ensure unbroken supply of LPG to customers 

During the COVID-19 lockdown, Litro Gas Lanka was able to initiate and maintain a seamless operation that ensured an unbroken supply of LPG to households across different parts of Sri Lanka.

Our staff and our partners worked around the clock to ensure that this operation was maintained throughout without a break. It was made possible through an exceptional level of dedication and commitment that started with the Chairman and CEO Anil Koswatte who inspired us all to give our very best. It was not just a testimony to the team effort but also one that enabled us to be recognised for COVID-19 protocols locally and globally. Forming strategic partnerships with food delivery apps such as ‘PickMe’ enabled us to enhance deliveries during the lockdown.

Future of LPG in Sri Lanka

As clearly indicated in the ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’ presented by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and as expressed in the directives of the Presidential Task Force to uplift the living standard of the people, Litro Gas Lanka remains committed to ensuring that the price of LPG as an essential commodity is stabilised. 

We see the future full of possibilities and potential as the industry grows in keeping with economic activity planned and encouraged by the Government – with specific focus on empowering the SME sector and entrepreneurs to choose LPG as a cost efficient and a clean energy. 

The unique positioning of Litro Gas Lanka as a State-Owned Enterprise with a multinational heritage and an operational excellence modelled on private sector, gives us the impetus to initiate growth and manage the future potential of LPG in the country in a manner that benefits Sri Lanka.