Gem industry brings Rs 25,225 m revenue in 5 yrs
Nimal WIJESINGHE- Anuradhapura Additional District
group correspondent
Sri Lanka has earned Rs 25,225.4 million through the export of gems
during the five year period from 2007 to 2010. The total quality
exported has been 29,485.1 carats.
The National Gem and Jewellery Authority regulates the mining and
export, said a spokesperson for the Geological Surveys and Mines Bureau.
He said some of the best known mining areas are Ratnapura, Elahera,
Moneragala, Kamburupitiya, Okkampitiya and Balangoda.
The most commonly found gems in the country are the Sapphire, Ruby,
Aquamarine, Topaz tourmaline, garnet, spinel and zircon. The total
income earned by exporting "sapphire" during the last four years has
been Rs 2,788 million, apart from the selling of Blue Sapphire,
Pink-Sapphire and Yellow Sapphire. |