Laugfs Gas increased the price of a 12.5 kg domestic cylinder by Rs. 189 with effect from midnight yesterday. The new price is Rs. 1857. Prices of Shell gas, too, had been increased by Rs 126 from midnight of August 31.

Some gas sales outlets were closed last week expecting the price hike.

Meanwhile, Trade and Consumer Services Minister Bandula Gunawardena yesterday told a press conference, at the Trade Ministry in Colombo, that gas prices in the local market would be reduced in November.

The recent price hike had been calculated in keeping with the prices in the world market during the months of June and July and the current prices in the world market had reduced, the minister said. The next price revision will be on November and then the prices would be calculated on the current world market prices, he said.