Friday Sep 04, 2026
Friday Sep 04, 2026
Friday, 4 September 2026 00:57 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Gem City Ratnapura 2026, the International Gem and Jewellery Show, was inaugurated on Monday, at the Grand Silver Ray Hotel, Pelmadulla, bringing together international buyers, foreign delegates, industry leaders and leading Sri Lankan gem and jewellery entrepreneurs.
Held under the theme “Home to the Finest,” the exhibition aims to further strengthen Ratnapura’s position as an international hub for the gem and jewellery industry.
Delivering the keynote address, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath said Sri Lanka’s long history as a leading source of precious stones provides a strong foundation for developing the industry further. He said the country must focus not only on finding and exporting gemstones, but also on creating greater economic and social value from them within Sri Lanka.
The Minister said Sri Lanka should strengthen its value addition capacity through modern cutting and polishing, internationally recognised laboratories and certification, jewellery design and manufacturing, research, training, branding and international marketing.
The exhibition, organised for the third consecutive year by the National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) in collaboration with the Lanka Gem Dealers and Miners Association (LGDMA), was attended by foreign buyers and representatives from India, Pakistan, Thailand, USA, Spain, Ecurope, China, Japan, Poland and Ethiopia.
The participation of international buyers and industry representatives marked another important milestone in Sri Lanka’s efforts to position Ratnapura, the country’s historic City of Gems, as an international hub for the gem and jewellery industry.
A large gathering of gem industry stakeholders from Ratnapura, Colombo and Beruwala, together with representatives of the business community and other institutional stakeholders, participated in the inauguration.
In his address referring to the NGJA’s target of increasing gem and jewellery exports to $ 3 billion by 2030, Minister Herath said this should be considered a national economic objective. He highlighted the need for investment, technology, skills and new approaches to achieve this target, while noting the important role foreign investors can play by bringing capital, technology, knowledge and access to international markets.
He also highlighted the skills of Sri Lankan gemmologists, lapidarists, jewellery designers and craftsmen and said greater training, technology and international exposure could help local professionals gain recognition in international markets.
The Minister stressed the importance of international partnerships, including stronger cooperation with Thailand in trade, technology, value addition, training and access to international markets. He also noted that international gemmological expertise can help strengthen Sri Lanka’s adherence to global standards in quality, authenticity and certification.
The Minister further identified gem tourism as an important opportunity for Ratnapura. He said the city could develop as an international gem tourism destination by connecting its mines, museums, gem markets, cutting and polishing centres and jewellery workshops with the tourism sector, creating new income and employment opportunities for people and businesses in the region.
He also called for Sri Lanka’s diplomatic missions abroad to play a more active role in promoting the Ceylon Sapphire and Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery industry by connecting exporters with international buyers, identifying investors, facilitating business relationships and helping open new markets.
The Minister said Gem City Ratnapura 2026 should be viewed as more than an exhibition and as part of a wider effort to make Sri Lanka a global centre for gems and jewellery through value addition, certification, design, manufacturing, branding and international marketing, while developing Ratnapura as a recognised destination for gem tourism.
Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetti emphasised the Government’s vision of transforming Sri Lanka into a global hub for gemstones and jewellery—not only for gemstones produced locally, but also for gemstones sourced from other countries.
The Minister stated that the Government expects the gem and jewellery industry to achieve $ 2 billion in export revenue, through the export of gemstones, jewellery and other value-added products.
He emphasised that the future competitiveness of the industry must be built upon the availability of fine-quality gemstones, environmental sustainability, greater recognition and empowerment of women in the industry, the elimination of child labour, traceability and increased value addition.
Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry Secretary Thilaka Jayasundara highlighted the importance of the gem and jewellery sector as a major industry contributing to Sri Lanka’s economy through foreign exchange generation, foreign investment and employment creation.
She noted that Sri Lanka has considerable potential to attract investment into areas such as diamond processing and gold jewellery manufacturing, which could further expand the country’s value-added manufacturing capacity.
Jayasundara also emphasised that the Ministry continues to work closely with industry stakeholders by providing direct and indirect support and developing appropriate fiscal policy measures to facilitate the sustainable growth and international competitiveness of the sector.
Welcoming the participants, NGJA Chairman and CEO Prof. S. P. Chaminda noted that Gem City Ratnapura has developed into an important annual international platform since its inception in 2024.
He emphasised that exhibitions of this nature provide valuable opportunities for Sri Lankan gem and jewellery businesses to interact directly with international buyers, establish new business relationships, gain exposure to international markets and explore opportunities for export expansion.
He expressed his appreciation to the international buyers, foreign delegations, trade associations, exhibitors and all stakeholders whose participation and support contributed to the success of the event.
Among the distinguished international guests were Richard Hughes of Lotus Gemmology, Thailand, who participated as the Guest of Honour, together with Thai Gem and Jewellery Traders Association President Chomphol Phornchindarak, and Secretary General Vilasinie Noknaum.
The event also benefited from the participation of the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India, coordinated through the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Mumbai. The Sri Lanka High Commission in Pakistan also facilitated the participation of an eight-member business delegation from Pakistan.
Lanka Gem Dealers and Miners Association Chairman Priyantha Weliwatte said that Gem City Ratnapura 2026 had made a strong start by creating an international platform that showcased the depth and diversity of Sri Lanka’s gem industry.
He noted that the exhibition brought together a broad spectrum of the industry, ranging from leading dealers of fine-quality gemstones to small and medium-scale gem and jewellery entrepreneurs, providing them with an opportunity to connect with international buyers and explore new markets.
The exhibition was supported by a strong group of industry sponsors. Blue Mine Holdings served as the Platinum Sponsor, while Ruwanpura Gems, Osantha Gems, Thissa Gems and Instagem supported the event as Gold Sponsors. The Silver Sponsors included Priyantha Gems, Subash Gems, Nalin Gems, Winil Gems, Priyantha Matuwagala Gems, Naufer Gems, R & R Fine Gems, Ananda Gems (Thissa Ananda), Dinidu Ltd., Laggala Sanjeewa Gems and Pinwatta Gems.
Adding colour and glamour to the inauguration, the opening ceremony featured a jewellery fashion show titled “A Symphony of Ceylon Jewellery”, showcasing creations by local jewellery entrepreneurs Dinidu Ltd., Domico Gems and Ashardi Jewellers.
The three-day exhibition program also features a Gala Business Networking Night, business-to-business meetings, awareness programs, the Gem and Jewellery Research Symposium of Sri Lanka 2026, organised by the Gem and Jewellery Research and Training Institute, and a gem field trip, providing participants with opportunities to engage with Sri Lanka’s gem industry beyond the exhibition floor.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Sabaragamuwa Province Governor Champa Janaki Rajarathna, several Members of Parliament, political representatives from both the Government and Opposition, senior provincial and district-level officials, including the Chief Secretary of Sabaragamuwa Province, District Secretary of Ratnapura, Divisional Secretary of Pelmadulla, Chairman of the Pelmadulla Pradeshiya Sabha and Mayor of Ratnapura.
Speaking at the closing day of the ‘Gem City Ratnapura International Gem and Jewellery Exhibition Industry Chathuranga Abeysinghe Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe said the significant increase in participation compared to the previous year reflects a renewed revival in Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery industry.
He emphasised that a key priority of the Government is to transform Ratnapura into a major international hub for the gem industry, by strengthening the entire value chain from gem mining to value addition, manufacturing and exports, while realising the estimated $3 billion potential of Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery sector.
Accordingly, the Government is taking steps to strengthen traceability and global confidence in the industry, simplify import and export procedures, provide the necessary regulations and facilities, develop skills among the younger generation, and expand research and knowledge within the sector.
The Deputy Minister extended his appreciation to the National Gem and Jewellery Authority, Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Traders and Miners Association, and all other parties who contributed to the successful organization of the exhibition.
Deputy Minister of Tourism Professor Ruwan Ranasinghe, Members of Parliament, Secretary to the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development J.M. Thilaka Jayasundara, government officials, industry representatives and local and international entrepreneurs also participated in the event.
