Sri Lanka is preparing to further promote its reputation as a leading global destination for precious gemstones with plans to establish what is being described as the world’s first Gem and Jewellery Tourist Village in Passara, Badulla.
The proposed attraction is planned for Sapuroda, an area situated between the Badulla–Ella tourism corridor and Badulla city. The project aims to bring together Sri Lanka’s centuries-old gem heritage, tourism, nature and the country’s internationally recognised gemstone industry in a single destination.
Sanjeewa Moonamalpe, Naula Zone Manager of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority, said approximately 40 acres of land surrounding Sapuroda village have been identified for the proposed development.
The tourist village is expected to provide both domestic and international visitors with an opportunity to discover Sri Lanka’s traditional gem-mining practices while experiencing the natural beauty of the Namunukula mountain range and the scenic landscapes extending towards Ella and Wellawaya.
One of the main highlights of the proposed development will be an underground gem museum, designed to showcase Sri Lanka’s geological history and the heritage of its gemstone mining industry.
The project is also expected to provide visitors with a closer look at how gemstones are traditionally extracted. Tourists could have the opportunity to explore demonstrations of underground mining, view gemstones recovered from beneath the earth and observe mineral crystals found across Sri Lanka. Traditional flat-mining techniques are also expected to be demonstrated as part of the experience.
Another important component of the proposed tourist village is a dedicated marketplace where visitors could access rare and authentic Sri Lankan gemstones and jewellery. The concept could create a more direct connection between tourists and local members of the gem industry.
Sri Lanka is internationally recognised for its precious gemstones, particularly Ceylon sapphires, while the country’s long-established gem and jewellery sector continues to play a significant role in generating foreign exchange.
Sri Lanka Set to Transform Sea-Air Cargo Operations with New Logistics Hub
Sri Lanka’s shipping and logistics sector is moving beyond traditional port and maritime operations, with a growing focus on demand-chain management and integrated supply chain solutions, according to Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake.
Speaking at the 9th Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka Association of NVOCC Agents (SLANA) in Colombo, Dissanayake highlighted the growing importance of the Port of Colombo, which has secured a place among the world’s top 20 ports. He noted that the port recorded an impressive 12% growth during the first half of the year.
However, the rapid expansion has also brought increasing pressure on capacity. With demand currently approaching 9 million TEUs against an existing capacity of around 10 million TEUs, the port is operating close to its limits. To address this constraint, the SLPA plans to add a further 1.5 million TEUs of capacity by the end of next year.
Dissanayake also pointed to a significant shift in Sri Lanka’s logistics ambitions, saying the country is looking to move beyond its traditional role as a transshipment hub, which it has maintained for around four decades. Within the coming months, Sri Lanka is expected to launch a new logistics hub within the port, supported by foreign direct investment.
The planned development is expected to be further strengthened by the upcoming elevated highway linking the Port of Colombo with the airport, potentially reducing travel time between the two locations to around 25 minutes. Together, these developments could enhance Sri Lanka’s ability to handle integrated sea-air cargo operations and strengthen its position within regional supply chains.
Dissanayake noted that just 10 major shipping lines currently account for 84.5% of global container capacity, while the five largest carriers control more than 65%. As major shipping companies increasingly expand into end-to-end supply chain services, he said industry service providers can no longer operate simply as intermediaries.
Against this backdrop, SLANA needs to evolve into a supply chain orchestrator capable of supporting a new generation of logistics services, he said.
Dissanayake identified five key pillars for SLANA’s future agenda: resilience, digitalisation, sustainability, human capital and policy advocacy.
On resilience, he stressed the importance of developing flexible routes and alternative logistics options, drawing parallels with Sri Lanka’s tea industry, which continued operations by redirecting cargo through alternative ports during regional disruptions.
Digitalisation will also be critical, with the sector needing to move away from paper-based documentation towards real-time data integration. At the same time, growing global attention on sustainability means logistics providers will increasingly need to address carbon emissions and provide greater transparency on carbon-to-freight performance.
Passara Set to Become Home to the World’s First Gem and Jewellery Tourist Villag
