Gem Sri Lanka 2026 shifts to Colombo in bid to boost global profile

Sri Lanka’s premier gemstone exhibition Gem Sri Lanka 2026 would move to Colombo for the first time, the organisers said, as the industry seeks to strengthen its global reach while retaining its traditional roots.

The three-day show, organised by the Ceylon Gem and Jewellery Traders Association (CGJTA), will run from January 7 to 9, at Shangri-La Hotel. 

Themed ‘The Source, The Production, The Selection’, the event will showcase the country’s value chain, from sourcing in Ratnapura to cutting and craftsmanship, alongside international exhibitors.

“Colombo offers a gateway to broader horizons. By hosting the show in the capital, we aim to attract a wider international audience and elevate the stature of the Sri Lanka gem industry on the global stage,” said Gem Sri Lanka Chairman Hilmy Cassim. 

Sri Lanka, a historic supplier of fine sapphires and coloured stones, has long anchored its trade in China Fort, Beruwela, home to one of the world’s oldest open gem markets. While that centre remains the industry’s “spiritual home”, Cassim said the move reflects a strategy to align the exhibition with Colombo’s international connectivity.

CGJTA Chairman Rizwan Nayeem said the event will feature exhibitors from Sri Lanka as well as suppliers of sapphires, spinels and other stones from Africa. He stressed that Sri Lankan artisans “remain among the world’s best cutters and craftsmen”, adding that the industry’s collaborative ethos allows “everyone in the chain to make some money”.

The exhibition has drawn support from global trade leaders. 

Guild Gem Laboratories Senior Vice President Andrew Lucas called it “the most energetic and electrifying gem show in the world”, while American Gem Trade Association President Bruce Bridges said discussions were underway to seek exemptions on the US tariffs for coloured gemstones.

The government officials acknowledged the event is aligned with Sri Lanka’s export strategy, which prioritises boosting gem and jewellery shipments as the country works to rebuild foreign exchange reserves. (NF)