PM Harini Amarasuriya Highlights Sri Lanka’s Gem and Jewellery Potential at Gem City Ratnapura – 2025.
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya stated that although Sri Lanka has already gained international recognition for its gems and jewellery, exports have not reached the expected level. She emphasized that the government is working to implement stable policies to help the country capture a larger share of the global gem and jewellery market.
The Prime Minister made these remarks during the opening ceremony of Gem City Ratnapura – 2025, an international gem and jewellery exhibition aimed at promoting Sri Lanka’s industry on the global stage. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the event will take place on 15th, 16th, and 17th August at the Grand Silveray Hotel, Pelmadulla.
Organized by the National Gem and Jewellery Authority, the exhibition aims to position Sri Lanka among the world’s leading gem and jewellery markets. It will showcase a wide variety of gemstones, mining and processing techniques, laboratory services, as well as training and educational opportunities in the sector.
Addressing the inauguration, PM Amarasuriya noted that Sri Lanka is globally recognized for its gems, many of which are sourced from the Ratnapura District. She said,
“However, we must question whether Ratnapura has truly received the recognition it deserves. The contribution of high-quality gem exports from Ratnapura to the national economy is significant, yet we have not achieved the sector’s full export potential. Inconsistent policies have hindered growth. The government is committed to establishing stable policies to achieve ambitious export revenue goals. I extend my gratitude to representatives from the United States, India, China, Switzerland, Thailand, and Pakistan for participating in this exhibition, and I invite them, along with others who trust our national policies, to join us in advancing gem and jewellery exports.”
Minister of Industry and Enterprise Development Sunil Handunneththi added that new policies are being prepared to support the sector, including developing the diamond industry and introducing laws to allow direct exports of rough gemstones. These initiatives aim to help the gem and jewellery industry reach the challenging target of USD 1 billion in export revenue.
The event also marked the launch of Sri Lanka’s first government-owned gem and jewellery trade website, www.gemcityratnapura.com, featuring the latest GovPay facility.
