A quantitative study of the direct use of kerosene for lighting in Sri Lanka households

It is known that over 80% of households in Sri Lanka use kerosene for lighting; but there is no reliable information on the quantity used. The present study which was based on a stratified sample was carried out to obtain quantitative information on kerosene consumption in the household sector. The country was divided into four zones. Households were stratified by zones and by sectors within the zones, and sample households were selected at random in proportion to the number of households in each stratum. In the sample households, kerosene consumption (for lighting) in a 24-hour period was measured and other information collected. The mean per caput/day consumption was estimated at 16.8 ± 6.2 ml, 50.9 f 3.4 ml and 75.2 ± 11.8 ml, and the mean per household/day consumption at 95.3 ± 35.3 ml, 286.5 ± 19.5 ml and 349.0 ± 52.3 ml in the urban, rural and estate sectors respectively. The total consumption for the year was estimated at 264 × 10⁶ litres. The ‘bottle lamp’ (without a chimney) was the most common type of lamp in use. Half the households, in the whole sample and 62.1% in the rural sector were receiving ‘kerosene stamps’ on which they could obtain kerosene up to a certain value a month free of charge.