The government is working on a structured program to ensure that the total revenue generated from gemstone sales is included in the national income, said Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunnetti.
Speaking at the “Face to Face – Meet the Minister” program held at the Ratnapura District Secretariat on the 23rd, Minister Handunnetti highlighted the government’s plans to establish a Gem Industrial Colony in Ratnapura. This initiative aims to enhance technical services and infrastructure for the gemstone industry, strengthening its contribution to the national economy.
The “Face to Face – Meet the Minister” program is designed to boost the manufacturing economy by directly engaging with industrialists and entrepreneurs operating outside Colombo, addressing their concerns, and providing necessary solutions.
The second session of this initiative took place at the Ratnapura District Secretariat, where numerous industrialists and entrepreneurs from various sectors, including gem and mining industries, actively participated.
Minister Handunnetti emphasized that Ratnapura, known as Sri Lanka’s gem capital, has the potential to become a global leader in the industry, and the proposed Gem Industrial Colony would play a crucial role in achieving this goal.
