Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association congratulates new President

The Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association, in a statement, offered its congratulations to new President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and expressed confidence that he would be able to generate heightened “security, wellbeing and economic prosperity” for the country.

The following is the full statement. 

The Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA) congratulates His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa on his success at the Presidential Election held on 16 November, thus becoming Sri Lanka’s 7th Executive President. SLGJA is confident that under your presidency, you will ensure the security, wellbeing and economic prosperity of the people and the country.

As the apex body representing the gem and jewellery industry which encompasses a multitude of related fields, SLGJA wishes to highlight that this industry could not only generate billions of dollars’ worth of valuable foreign earnings but could also create a million jobs in rural areas of the country. A cottage industry could be developed for gem cutters and jewellery manufacturers.

The trade needs proper direction and encouragement from the Government. The National Gem and Jewellery Authority has had four chairmen this year. The industry would benefit greatly from having a stable, professional leadership so that the NGJA can work in an independent, focused manner to develop the trade. The NGJA should be transformed to promote and facilitate the industry.

The Government should appoint a Presidential Task Force with private sector participation to develop the trade and resolve issues faced by the Miners, Importers, Exporters, Lapidaries and Manufacturers.

Sri Lanka being a famous producing country has immense potential to become a bustling trading hub. The Government should take a proactive stand in consultation with the private sector to study and learn about the policies adopted by Thailand and Hong Kong which are renowned Gem and Jewellery hubs to encourage the growth of the industry.

Today, 60-70% of our rough is brought back from Tanzania, Madagascar, Mozambique and other African countries. Our dealers face many obstacles and live for months in those countries in the most difficult conditions, taking immense risks in the process. We must encourage these dealers to bring the rough gemstones back to Sri Lanka, cut and polish, and export the same with a greater value addition.

We seek the assistance of Your Excellency to uplift the industry and wish to emphasise the need to have sustainable policies. The Government and the private sector must work in close cooperation to achieve our targeted goals. We look forward to seeing the gem and jewellery industry gaining momentum under your leadership.