|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 26 October 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Lankan gems glitter in the UK D. H. Ariyaratna, a gemologist practising for the last 30 years in the UK, has done much to increase awareness about the island's gem industry and strengthen the links between the British and Lankan gem trade. He demonstrated all aspects of the Lankan gem industry at a two-day exhibition at the Commonwealth Institute in London in 1996. The exhibition was continued in 1997 and 1998 with the support of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority, Geological Survey and Mines Bureau of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka High Commission in London. Lankan gems worth over 25,000 Sterling Pounds were on display at the exhibition he held in London for the fourth successive year in 1999. The gem cutting demonstration by Sri Lankan trained lapidarist Vince Benjamin, was a novel attraction at this exhibition. The event was conducted for the fifth time in the new millenium. Ariyaratne explained that the majority in the Sri Lankan gem trade lack the scientifically-based theoretical and practical knowledge, as it had been a traditional practice passed down from generation to generation. He therefore advises those in the trade to obtain international standard academic qualifications to improve the local industry. Existing offers of concessions to Lankan students in relevant courses run by the Gemmology Association of Great Britain should be increased to attract more people obtaining higher qualifications and further improve the trade, Ariyaratne suggested. Ariyaratne published his first book 'Mineralogy of Sri Lanka' in Sinhala in 1975 for students. 'Gems of Sri Lanka' was first published in 1976 on the occasion of the Fifth Non-Aligned Summit held in Sri Lanka. It was published in Sinhala in 1977. The first book on Sri Lanka's gems written in French was published in 1980. Having continued the exhibition for seven years, Ariyaratne intends holding a similar exhibition in Sri Lanka with British personnel involved in the gem trade next year. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
