Gem export earnings reach Rs. 45b
Gem, Diamond and Jewellery export earnings in 2009 reached Rs. 45
billion exceeding the estimated target according to National Gem and
Jewellery Authority Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Hasitha
Tillekeratne.
A number of steps were taken under Mahinda Chintana to develop the
gem industry and efforts taken to find new markets helped prevent Sri
Lanka's gem industry being adversely affected by the global recession
resulting in the collapse of markets in Europe, Japan and the USA.
The new markets for Sri Lankan gems are in India, China, Russia,
Turkey, Taiwan and Oman. The national budgets for the past two years
granted a number of dividends thus ensuring the industry's stability.
In addition to helping the business community, steps have been taken
to raise the living standards of traditional gem prospectors, introduce
them to new technology, minimize accidents and give maximum compensation
to accident victims.
"The highest record of gem land auctions were held last year to
provide lands for mining while projects were launched to protect
infertile state lands where gem deposits are yet to be identified.
"Plans have been drawn up to search for gems from the river beds of
Mahaweli, Kalu Ganga and other major rivers through environment-friendly
techniques, says the NGJA Chairman and recalls that the Supreme Court
and the Appeal Court dismissed cases filed by some Non-Governmental
Organizations against the NGJA's plans." He expressed regret that
certain media organizations which gave big publicity to the NGO
allegations failed to report the courts dismissing their cases.
He assures that all steps would be taken to minimize environmental
damage and the NGJA had detected and foiled a number of instances of
unauthorized gem mining.
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