Report of Sri Lanka Journey / March 2026
Sri Lanka Local Report / March 2026
In mid-March, I visited Sri Lanka for approximately six days.
This report summarizes the insights gained locally, particularly regarding the state of gem distribution.
■ Basic Information about Sri Lanka
• Official Name: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
• English Name: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
↑Sri Lankan flag with a lion holding a sword
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■ Geography and Location
• An island nation located off the southeastern coast of India
• An island in the Indian Ocean, often referred to as "the tear drop of India"
• Belongs to a tropical monsoon climate
↑Travel time from Japan is around 10 hours
↑Travel time from our office in Thailand is about 3.5 hours.
■ Basic Data
• Population: Approximately 22 million
• Area: Approximately 65,610㎢ (about 80% of Hokkaido)
• Capital: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte (administrative capital)
• Largest City: Colombo
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■ Climate and Natural Environment
↑The famous coastal railway in Colombo, the largest city
March, when I visited, was the end of the dry season. The temperature was around 30℃, which sounds mild, but due to its proximity to the equator, the UV radiation was extremely strong, making long outdoor stays difficult.
Hats and parasols are essential for sun protection.
While Colombo, the largest city in Sri Lanka, experiences air pollution due to traffic congestion, moving inland reveals a rich natural environment.
↑A dam located a little further up in the mountains from Ratnapura
It is evident that the land is rich in agricultural resources, with thriving rice cultivation and tea plantations.
↑We were caught in a passing shower in the mountainous region on the way from Ratnapura to Haputale.
Due to the high altitude, the temperature dropped considerably, and after sunset, it was cool enough to wear long sleeves.
↑Sri Lanka's tallest waterfall near Haputale
【Climate】
• High temperatures year-round (average around 27-30°C)
• Rainy and dry seasons vary by region (due to monsoon influence)
• Very strong UV radiation
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■ About the People
What impressed me most on this trip was the kindness of the Sri Lankan people.
Not only our local partners, but many of the people I met were polite and calm, exhibiting very dignified behavior.
They always return a smile with a smile, which makes me feel that their national character is very compatible with Japanese people.
They are diligent, quick-witted, and very considerate in their actions.
【Language】
• Official languages: Sinhala, Tamil
• Widely spoken language: English
【Religion】
• Buddhism: Approx. 70%
• Hinduism: Approx. 12%
• Islam: Approx. 10%
• Christianity: Approx. 8%
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■ Food Culture
↑Kadai Curry, Tikka Chicken Biryani, and Salt Lassi
The food combines elements from South Asia to Southeast Asia, primarily curries, biryani, and nasi goreng.
The staple foods are rice and roti (flatbread), and eating with hands is common.
Biryani and fried rice are fluffy, suggesting a pilaf-like cooking method based on the balance of oil and water.
The rice served at restaurants is very voluminous.
While spice-based, the chili kick is relatively mild, making it easy for Japanese palates to adapt.
Meals were always a highlight during my stay.
↑A two-person curry set I ate near the rough gemstone market on the streets of Ratnapura.
There was a massive amount of carbohydrates, far more than I could eat, but I was told it was fine to leave some.
There were three types of curry and a chili-infused condiment similar to sambal, offering a wide range of flavors that were all delicious.
I tried "indiappa," which resembles a mat of rice noodles, for the first time and fell in love with it.
↑Breakfast at a guesthouse in Galle
The combination of green fish curry and milk rice (rice cooked with coconut milk?) was very memorable, with a rich aroma and gentle seasoning.
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■ Colombo, the Largest City
↑Colombo skyline from the coast at night
The capital city of Colombo, while equipped with urban functions, gives a compact and calm impression overall.
Although high-rise buildings exist, their scale is limited, and the old town features many buildings reminiscent of early Showa era Japan, evoking a sense of nostalgia.
Sri Lanka experienced a sovereign debt default in 2022 due to a combination of foreign exchange shortages, currency depreciation, and fiscal mismanagement, and is currently in the process of restructuring. These economic conditions were somewhat palpable in the cityscape.
↑The famous coastal train in Colombo. Surprised by the open doors.
The railway running along the coastline is one of the iconic sights, especially impressive in the evening ↓
Also, the landmark "Lotus Tower" (approx. 350m high), designed with the lotus, the national flower, as its motif, is a symbol of modern Sri Lanka ↓
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■ Traffic Conditions
↑A three-wheeler en route from Colombo to Ratnapura.
Traffic is generally thrilling.
Colombo's urban areas, in particular, have heavy traffic congestion, and driving manners are quite aggressive.
Motorbikes and small three-wheeled taxis, known as three-wheelers, weave through cars, so accidents are common.
I actually witnessed a car and a three-wheeler collide.
↑Three-wheeler: A three-wheeled taxi
It is common for vehicles to veer significantly into the oncoming lane when overtaking, creating constant tension.
This is not unusual; it is an established driving style in the local context.
Regarding car models, I'd say over 80% are Japanese cars, and I enjoyed seeing them because I like the design of older Japanese cars.
In the new car market recently, Chinese electric vehicles like BYD are reportedly performing well.
↑Blue buses often drive crazily
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■ Current State of Ratnapura Mines
The Ratnapura area is known as one of the world's leading gem-producing regions.
Located east of Colombo, many areas have already been mined, and overall production is declining.
This time, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to visit an active mining site.
Sri Lanka's deposits are primarily secondary deposits, where gem roughs that have flowed down and accumulated from mountainous areas are excavated.
Mining involves digging deep vertically, and the shafts were divided for retrieving excavated material, access for people, and for oxygen and drainage.
↑Miners in Ratnapura
↑Puddle at a former mining site in Ratnapura
↑Soil in the mining area
↑The former mining site in Ratnapura extended over a wide area
↑Rice paddies spread around the pocket
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■ Rough Gemstone Market / Ratnapura
↑Rough gemstone brokers gathered on the street
At the street market, if you are recognized as a buyer, numerous brokers will surround you.
↑A broker showing rough gemstones on his palm
However,
• Prices are generally set high
• Quality varies greatly
• High prevalence of dyed and synthetic stones
These points make it a high-risk sourcing environment, especially for international buyers.
↑Rough lavender sapphire from Sri Lanka
Furthermore, due to Sri Lankan law, it is difficult to export rough gemstones to protect local artisans, which also makes purchasing rough gemstones challenging.
↑Two people believed to be mining in the river near the street market
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■ Umbrella Market
↑Crowded umbrellas appearing in the city
At the Umbrella Market (Amba Gaha Yata Gem Market) in the city, cut stones and jewelry are also distributed.
Some stones come with local appraisal certificates, but quality and reliability depend on the seller.
Prices seemed to be comparable to or slightly higher than those in Bangkok.
↑Jewelry suddenly offered by a broker
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■ Stay in Haputale
I moved further into the mountainous region from Ratnapura and stayed in Haputale.
I stayed at an inn operated by a relative of my local partner and received very warm hospitality.
The surrounding area offers natural landscapes with waterfalls and dams, and beautiful Ceylon tea plantations stretch out.
↑Tea plantations spread across the valley
↑Many monkeys appear near Haputale
Many wild animals, including monkeys and peacocks, are found along the way, and elephant sightings have been reported in some areas.
Wire installations were also put in place to prevent harm to people.
↑Elephant crossing sign
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■ Beruwala Gemstone Market
Beruwala, located south of Colombo, is one of Sri Lanka's largest gem trading hubs.
Its structure is very similar to that of Chanthaburi in Thailand.
Gems from all over the world, not just Sri Lanka, gather here.
↑I was shown gems at the office of our partner's trusted seller.
Prices are in line with international markets, roughly on par with Bangkok.
Unless one has a special network directly connected to the mines, it is difficult to gain a price advantage.
There are no mines around Beruwala; it is purely a distribution market.
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■ Galle (World Heritage City)
Galle, located further south, is a tourist destination known for its historic fortress city.
The city, where the coastal fortress harmonizes with simple and warm white architecture, is registered as a World Heritage site.
It attracts many tourists from both inside and outside the country.
↑Architecture in Galle
↑Lighthouse in the Fort
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■ Sri Lankan Cutting Situation
↑Pre-form cutting of blue sapphire
While there are cutters in each city, skilled craftsmen are limited.
The mainstream cutting style is the so-called Ceylon cut:
• Emphasis on yield
• Prioritizing stone size retention
• Mainly step cuts
For this reason, weight retention tends to be prioritized over proportions and optical performance.
↑ Many have a rounded shape when viewed from the side
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■ About the gemstones purchased
In Sri Lanka, I mainly looked at gemstones, focusing on sapphires, and this time I mainly purchased sapphires and spinels, so I will introduce some finished products.
↑ Finished Sri Lankan blue sapphire
It is no exaggeration to say that this trip was almost entirely about sapphires, and I selected high-quality ones, focusing on blue and pink sapphires.
↑ Finished lavender and gray spinels
I was able to find a good batch of spinels, mainly in mature colors, weighing over 1 carat.
In addition to these, I purchased high-quality gemstones, mainly sapphires and spinels, so
the Sri Lanka travel jewelry box will certainly be filled with wonderful items,
and I hope you look forward to the new creations that will be made from them.
【Basic information about Sri Lankan gemstones】
• Main producing region: Ratnapura
• Deposit type: Mainly secondary deposits
Mainly produced stones
• Sapphire (blue, padparadscha, etc.)
• Spinel
• Chrysoberyl
• Garnet
• Tourmaline
etc.
■ Summary
Sri Lanka is a very attractive country, blessed with rich nature and gentle people.
Regarding gemstone procurement, there are challenges such as low market transparency, quality variations, and price internationalization, but
nevertheless, encountering attractive stones unique to Sri Lanka, such as vibrant sapphires and alluringly colored spinels, is a value unique to this land.
Considering the decrease in supply, the rarity of Sri Lankan gemstones may further increase in the future.
Witnessing the situation on-site changed my perspective on Sri Lankan gemstones and renewed my passion for procurement; it was a valuable experience.
Thanks to this, it was a very fulfilling and memorable trip.
Thank you very much.
GemTreeJapan
Illumo