President pledges to support develop gem industry

Sri Lanka Gem Entrepreneurs & Mining Association held a discussion with President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat today, President Media Unit said.

The representatives apprised the President regarding the issues related to the gem and mining industry. They also briefed the President about a new machine developed to extract gold particles for oar excavated from mines. They presented a gold sample extracted by that machine and requested the President to support them to introduce this new machine on commercial basis in the country.

President Sirisena instructed the representatives to produce a report at the end of next January on this new invention and regarding their difficulties faced by them when working in their respective fields.

President Sirisena categorically rejected allegations that foreign companies would be given permits for gem mining in Sri Lanka and said that he will not allow any foreign company to mine gems in Sri Lanka and it was his one of election pledges.

Mr. Asanka Welagedara Chairman – National Gem & Jewellery Authority, Mr. Sarath Ananda-President of the Gem & Mining Association, Ms. Indira Malwatte Chairperson Sri Lanka Export Development Board and others participated on this occasion.