Major gem and jewellery exhibition planned in Ratnapura - Deputy Minister

Colombo, August 13 (Daily Mirror) - Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery industry has suffered a significant downturn over the past two years, Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe said today (28).

He made these remarks at a joint media briefing held at the National Gem and Jewellery Authority to announce the Gem City International Gem and Jewellery Exhibition 2025, scheduled to take place in Ratnapura from August 15 to 17.

The exhibition is being organised through a collaborative effort involving the National Gem and Jewellery Authority, the Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry, the Sri Lanka Gem Traders and Miners Association, the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association, and other stakeholders. It aims to boost the industry towards achieving its $1 billion export revenue target while strengthening Ratnapura’s global reputation as a leading hub for gems.

Featuring over 100 stalls, the event will showcase gem trading, jewellery design, and innovation. It will also create opportunities for small and medium-scale manufacturers and traders to connect with international buyers. Representatives from China, India, Vietnam, Germany, Thailand, and other countries are expected to attend.

Highlighting the industry’s untapped potential, Minister Abeysinghe said: “Sri Lanka has a unique gem and jewellery industry with a medium-term revenue capacity of $1 billion. However, we have not been able to fully realise this potential for decades. The government is now implementing the necessary legal, trade, and administrative reforms to ensure the industry’s growth.”