Sri Lanka prohibits gemstone mining by foreign companies

Maithripala Sirisena, President of Sri Lanka has reportedly instructed relevant officials not to let any foreign national or a foreign company to mine gems in Sri Lanka.

The government is not ready to endow the local gem industry to foreign companies and instructed the officials to refuse requests for gem mining, says a news report. The National Gem and Jewellery Authority has been asked to provide a report on current projects implemented and also asked about the tender process and the mechanism of issuing licenses for gem mining. The authority has been asked to stop the all illegal gem mining in Moragahakanda reservoir and its premises, adds a report.

Besides, relevant officials have been asked to stop mining of sand and transporting in the Polonnaruwa district from the February 1, 2015. The government is looking at tightening the environmental conservation even further. The relevant institutions have been ordered to submit a report after an intensive study on the possibility of using the sand resources in this area in the future. He also asked the officials to conduct a study and submit a report on the suitability of the areas for sand mining and the possibility of using sea sands as an alternative, adds a report.