News
Gems in the business
View(s):Pix and text by Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa
Groups of women in the Laggala area in Matale are mining for gems, same as the men.
The women brave the inhospitable conditions in mines and spend hours submerged to their waist in water searching for gemstones. With bruised hands and muddy outfits, they spend hours trying to find gems.
The women organise as groups and engage in mining in areas such as Mathota, Hathota Amuna, Kalu Ganga, Kirikiri Oya, Wellewela, and Dewoladeniya.
The women said that they continuously search for gemstones from dawn to dusk. They partner with businessmen who purchase gems. Those who work for the businessmen get a weekly expense amount of Rs 1,500 and equipment needed for gem mining.
The blue sapphires and other gem varieties, they find have to be sold to the businessman who provided the equipment and expenses, the women said.
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