President inaugurates ‘Jewels Sri Lanka’

Chaminda Perera

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday inaugurated the “Jewels Sri Lanka - 2010” International Gems, Jewellery and Mineral Exhibition at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition centre.

The exhibition will be open to the public till December 12.

This exhibition was organized by the National Gem and Jewellery Authority jointly with the Gemmologists Association of Sri Lanka to present high quality gem and jewellery to the international market and uplift gems and jewellery exporters.

The Gems and Jewellery Authority presented a special memento to the President in recognition of his service to the nation by defeating one of the most ruthless terrorist outfits in the world.

This international exhibition is also aimed at opening avenues for local, medium and small-scale businessmen to enter the international market. Buyers from US, India, China, Thailand, Korea, Japan and Russia are expected to visit the exhibition.

A number of events including jewellery design show has been organized in parallel to this exhibition.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa recognized several persons who showed greater commitment for the uplift of Gems, Jewellery and Minieral industry. Prof P G R Dharmaratne and Deshabandu E E T Ellawala also received awards from the President.

Elllawala Exporters received an award for exporting the highest number of gems while Nithyakalyani Jewellers, Wellawatte received an award for exporting the most jewellery in 2007.

Daimond exporters and Eco friendly gem cutters who showed outstanding performance in 2007 were also recognized by the President.

The gem and diamond sector has posted an overall growth of 20.60 percent in the first quarter of 2010 earning a total revenue of US $ 197 million against US $ 163.40 million during the corresponding period last year.

The President viewed the two rare kinds of gems which are in possession of NGJA. They are the 393 carat Star Sapphire and 103 carat Cat’s Eye. National Jem and Jewellery Association Chairman Anil Koswatte showed these rare gems to the President. Over 70 out of 200 gems varieties in the world have been found in Sri Lanka and the country has become the first five Gem bearing countries in the world.

The NGJA is providing many facilities to the buyers such as gem and gold testing facilities, free of charge at the exhibition site. Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Deputy Minister Abdul Cadar and Senior Urban Affairs Minister A H M Fowzie were present.

Chinese, Pakistani and Palestinian envoys in Colombo also participated at the inauguration ceremony.