Monday Jan 05, 2026
Monday Jan 05, 2026
Monday, 5 January 2026 05:42 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
From left: SLGJA President Akram Cassim, FACETS Sri Lanka Chairman Armil Sammoon, Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunneththi, and Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Foreign Employment Minister Vijitha Herath at the opening of the three-day international exhibition on Saturday
Foreigners engrossed with some of the gems at a stall at FACETS Sri Lanka 2026 yesterday
FACETS Sri Lanka 2026 was officially inaugurated on Saturday at Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, marking a significant milestone for Asia’s premier gem and jewellery exhibition.
Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Foreign Employment Minister Vijitha Herath and Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunneththi officiated at the opening of the three-day event, which concludes today. The Ministers’ presence underscores the national and international importance of FACETS as Sri Lanka’s foremost platform for the global gem and jewellery trade.
Now in its 33rd edition, the exhibition opens with a bold, future-focused vision that celebrates Sri Lanka’s rich gem heritage while positioning the industry for its next phase of global growth.
Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA) President Akram Cassim said: “FACETS Sri Lanka 2026 marks the beginning of the global gem and jewellery calendar, and once again places Sri Lanka at the heart of the international trade. Now in its 33rd year, FACETS is more than an exhibition; it is a platform built on trust, longstanding relationships, and the shared commitment to responsible and sustainable practices across our industry. We warmly welcome our international buyers, exhibitors, and partners to Colombo and thank them for their continued belief in Sri Lanka as a leading source of fine gemstones.”
For the first time in its history, FACETS is being hosted at Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, occupying two full floors in a contemporary, immersive exhibition environment. The new setting represents a defining evolution for the event, seamlessly blending tradition with innovation. Visitors are guided through the journey of Sri Lankan gemstones from mine to market through interactive installations, curated Story Corners that highlight exhibitor narratives, and immersive virtual reality (VR) experiences that offer rare insights into the island’s gem mining regions. Sustainability, ethical sourcing, and innovation are central themes throughout the exhibition, aligning Sri Lanka’s industry with global standards while preserving its timeless craftsmanship.
FACETS Sri Lanka 2026 is further strengthened by the Sapphire Sponsorship Circle, a collective of 11 of Sri Lanka’s leading gem exporters and jewellers, whose support reflects the unity, confidence, and shared vision of the industry. Their commitment reinforces FACETS as the country’s most important international platform for gems and jewellery, attracting buyers, investors, and enthusiasts from across the world.
FACETS Sri Lanka Chairman Armil Sammoon said: “For 33 years, FACETS has been the stage where Sri Lanka’s greatest love story is told: the story of our people and our precious stones. This platform connects the hands that unearth our treasures with the visionaries who shape them, ensuring that every gem carries not just beauty, but a legacy of integrity. FACETS 2026 gathers this proud community not just under one roof, but under one shared mission: to champion a future for global gemstones and jewellery that is as sustainable and brilliant as the island that inspires it.”
Enhancing the overall experience for international delegates, Universal Travel Bureau (UTB) serves as the Official Travel Partner for FACETS Sri Lanka 2026. Through curated pre- and post-exhibition travel programs, visitors are offered opportunities to explore Sri Lanka beyond the exhibition halls, including exclusive visits to gem mining areas that showcase the island’s centuries-old traditions and sustainable practices. This initiative extends FACETS beyond a trade exhibition, creating deeper connections between business, culture, and heritage.
Over the last 30 years, FACETS has evolved into an internationally respected exhibition that has firmly placed Sri Lanka on the global gem and jewellery map. Renowned worldwide for its exceptional sapphires from cornflower blue and padparadscha to teal and beyond, and home to over 50 gemstone varieties, Sri Lanka continues to captivate global markets.
FACETS Sri Lanka 2026 celebrates this proud legacy while looking ahead to the future, bringing together tradition, innovation, and global opportunity in a world-class setting and marking one of the most significant editions in the exhibition’s history.
- Pix by Lasantha Kumara
