Litro Gas Lanka raises the bar in COVID-19 supply and delivery response

Litro Gas Lanka Ltd., Sri Lanka’s undisputed market leader and supplier of LP Gas to the nation stepped up a multi-faceted and swift response to serve Sri Lankans island-wide in order to ensure they had an uninterrupted supply of Litro Gas during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Adopting the stance ‘Stay Home, Stay Safe – We will deliver Litro Gas to your Doorstep’, Litro Gas deployed the Company’s dealer network to augment their home delivery promise. Litro Gas initially deployed 500 dealers and then expanded to over 1,000 and consequently became the first conglomerate, which fulfilled customer requirements swiftly without any shortages, during this difficult period.

Litro Gas also partnered with PickMe Foods to facilitate delivery within Colombo and subsequently expanded to the outskirts. Moreover, the Company deployed a fleet of ‘mobile gas delivery’ vehicles to deliver Litro Gas cylinders directly to households. The daily LP Gas requirement in Sri Lanka is around 80,000 cylinders for domestic consumption and Litro was in the forefront servicing customers island-wide, around the clock.

The Company’s communication channels took a novel approach by introducing a hotline number (1311) for consumers to inquire about the closest Litro Gas dealer who would deliver Litro Gas to their door-step, even during curfew hours. Customers were encouraged to visit the Litro Gas website to search for information about the latest developments and expansions in the dealer network and areas where Litro Gas was being delivered. 

The Litro Filling Plant maintained an uninterrupted supply through the filling and distribution of cylinders consistently, with the exception of 13 and 14 April (Sinhala and Tamil New Year holiday). The Company’s commitment and dedication to work continuously during the COVID-19 pandemic enabled all Sri Lankans to light their hearths during the auspicious time in keeping with the culture and traditions of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

“True to our promise of being the national LP Gas supplier, we will continue to help our consumers during these challenging times. Litro Gas’s service mindedness, dedication, commitment to Litro Gas customers together with the unified effort of each and every employee, the management, key stakeholders in the supply chain and government authorities were the key elements which propelled the Company to successfully respond in a timely manner during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.  “In our role as a state-owned enterprise, we were able to meet consumer requirements in a swift and efficient manner in line with the vision of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who outlined a plan to minimise discomfort to the people of Sri Lanka. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa provided valuable guidance in our COVID-19 supply and delivery efforts. As Chairman of the Presidential Task Force to combat COVID-19, former minister Basil Rajapaksa provided the necessary insights, while the management team and the entire staff led by Litro Gas Lanka Ltd. and Litro Gas Terminal Lanka Ltd. Chairman/CEO Anil Koswatte, worked tirelessly to ensure the successful implementation of the process every step-of-the-way,” commented Litro Gas Lanka Ltd. Director – Sales and Marketing/Corporate Affairs Janaka Pathirathna.

Litro Gas Lanka’s response stood out as an example for key retailers and online vendors in Sri Lanka with its uninterrupted, proficient and reliable service offering. 

Litro Gas Lanka Ltd. was able to improve its service parameters to the Sri Lankan public by leveraging on insights and years of experience. The outcome was a zero ‘out-of-stock’ situation throughout this highly sensitive period by commissioning a Best-In-Class delivery system. Litro’s exemplary response to COVID-19 lockdown situation was based on great teamwork and trust across the entire organisation.

The Company received approx. 41,000 MTs of LPG from 15 March to 30 April, which allowed them to ensure an uninterrupted supply of LP gas to all Litro Gas customers. The Company’s ability to securely store a high volume of LP Gas is a testament to its operational and technical superiority. Litro Gas Lanka Ltd. is confident of further strengthening its exceptional COVID-19 response and enhanced service parameters, in a spirit of offering meaningful differentiation to the Sri Lankan public and bringing out its best in adversity.