Gem Sri Lanka 2026 opens, spotlighting country’s gem trade ambitions

By Divya Thotawatte 

The third edition of Gem Sri Lanka, a major showcase of the country’s high-quality stones and craftsmanship, kicked off yesterday in Colombo, bringing together top exhibitors, designers, and buyers from across the world. 

Organised by the Ceylon Gem and Jewellery Traders Association (CGJTA), the international event, themed ‘The Source. The Production. The Selection,’ will take place from 7-9 January at Shangri-La Colombo. The annual event aims to provide a dedicated platform for trade engagement, sourcing, and industry networking, with a focus on Sri Lanka’s role as a key source country in the global gemstones sector. 

The opening ceremony drew key industry stakeholders, including Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya as the Chief Guest, Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih, Ministers, Ambassadors, and local and international exhibitors and buyers. Attendees explored over 100 stalls showcasing the country’s gemstone and jewellery offerings. 

Addressing the opening ceremony, the Prime Minister noted recent changes to the regulatory framework aimed at strengthening the gem and jewellery sector, highlighting that Trade and Industry Minister Sunil Handunneththi had further outlined plans to position Sri Lanka as a hub for the industry, “not just in this region, but globally.” She expressed confidence in the sector’s capacity and skills to support that ambition. 

Dr. Amarasuriya also emphasised that the industry continued to be a significant contributor to foreign exchange earnings, employment, and value-added exports, while highlighting the global reach of Sri Lankan craftsmanship and opportunities the sector offered in areas such as cutting, designing, branding, tourism, and responsible sourcing. 

She added that exhibitions such as Gem Sri Lanka played an important role in advancing these goals, stressing the need to ensure that sourcing remained ethical, responsible, and environmentally sustainable. 

Sri Lanka is internationally recognised for its deposits of sapphires, rubies, and other coloured gemstones. Gem Sri Lanka 2026 is positioned to highlight these resources while facilitating direct interaction between local suppliers and international buyers. 

The event includes curated showcases of fine stones and finished jewellery and live demonstrations related to cutting, polishing, and design. 

In addition to the exhibitions, the program also includes ‘Gala 2026 – Brilliance and Beyond,’ a networking space to bring together traders, buyers, and industry leaders in an informal setting. 

The event also marked the launch of ‘The Sapphire Legacy,’ a publication documenting Sri Lanka’s gemstones heritage and its historical role in the global trade. 

Gem Sri Lanka Chairman and CGJTA Vice Chairman Hilmy Cassim said the exhibition had grown significantly since its inception, expanding its international reach and standards. He noted that the exhibition was moved from Beruwala to Colombo to reflect the growing ambition of the industry and bring it closer to international markets. 

“Gem Sri Lanka has become a place for young exhibitors and emerging leaders. Behind the scenes, a dedicated young team is driving innovation, learning from seasoned experts and being mentored to take our industry forward,” he added. 

Highlighting that gemstones were Sri Lanka’s oldest export product and had long served as a foundation for the country’s trade relations, CGJTA Chairman Rizwan Nayeem said that, within three years, Gem Sri Lanka had become “the largest presentation of fine-coloured gemstones in the whole of South Asia,” crediting Government support, exhibitors, buyers, and young talent for the exhibition’s growth. 

Nayeem also described recent policy changes on gemstone importation as “a gamechanger” for the industry, adding that the reforms were expected to significantly increase the volume of gemstones entering Sri Lanka. 

Gem Sri Lanka is organised by the CGJTA, the largest trade body in the gem and jewellery industry in Sri Lanka, representing over 2,000 members.