President opens 'Jewels Sri Lanka 2010' international gem and jewellery exhibition

Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa opened the 'Jewels Sri Lanka 2010' international gem, mineral, and jewellery exhibition, organized by the National Gem and Jewellery Authority, at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo today.


The exhibition aims to promote Sri Lanka as the leader of supplying high quality gems and jewelry products to the world. President Mahinda Rajapaksa is seen here observing the blue star sapphire, which is known as the 'Star of Lanka', and a Cat's Eye gems.


President Rajapaksa presented awards to those engaged in the gem industry for their outstanding contribution to the industry. Prominent exporters of gem and jewellery as well as gem and jewellery companies received awards from the President at the event.
The three-day exhibition and trade show will be open to public from today through 12th December from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Buyers from US, India, China, Thailand, Korea, Japan and Russia are expected to visit the exhibition.
Ministers Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, A.H.M. Fowzie, C.B. Ratnayake, Sumeda G. Jayasena, and Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Deputy Ministers Premalal Jayasekara, W. B. Ekanayaka, Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan and Abdul Cader, Gem and Jewellery Authority Chairman Anil Koswatta and Secretary of the Environment Ministry Dr. R.H.S Samarathunga also participated in the event.
(Pictures by Nalin Hewapathirana)