FACETS Sri Lanka 2026, Asia’s premier gem and jewellery exhibition, was officially inaugurated at Cinnamon Life – The City of Dreams, marking a major milestone in the 33-year history of the event.
The exhibition opens with a bold vision that celebrates Sri Lanka’s rich gem heritage while positioning the industry for its next phase of global growth. The inauguration ceremony was graced by Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath as chief guest, alongside Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetti, highlighting FACETS’ national and international significance.
Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA) President Akram Cassim stated, “FACETS Sri Lanka 2026 marks the start of the global gem and jewellery calendar and places Sri Lanka at the heart of international trade. More than an exhibition, FACETS is a platform built on trust, long-standing relationships, and a shared commitment to responsible and sustainable practices.”
For the first time, the exhibition is hosted at Cinnamon Life, occupying two full floors in a contemporary, immersive environment. Visitors are guided through the journey of Sri Lankan gemstones from mine to market via interactive installations, curated Story Corners highlighting exhibitor narratives, and virtual reality experiences showcasing the island’s gem mining regions. Sustainability, ethical sourcing, and innovation are central themes, aligning Sri Lanka’s gem industry with global standards while preserving its timeless craftsmanship.
Colombo Port Achieves Record Throughput of 8.29 Million TEUs in 2025
The Port of Colombo reached a historic milestone in 2025, handling 8,291,178 TEUs, the highest volume ever recorded in its history. This represents a 6.4% increase over the 7,792,069 TEUs managed in 2024, reaffirming Colombo’s status as South Asia’s leading transshipment hub.
The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) noted that the growth reflects “disciplined investment, operational resilience, and sustained confidence from global shipping lines,” even as international trade conditions remain uneven and freight networks continue to recalibrate.
A key contributor to this record was the Colombo West International Terminal, developed by the Adani Group and John Keells Holdings, which enhanced the port’s capacity to handle ultra-large container vessels. Existing terminals, including the SLPA-operated facilities and private operators such as Colombo International Container Terminals and South Asia Gateway Terminals, also played a pivotal role.
Data from the first 10 months of 2025 shows broad-based growth: domestic container handling rose nearly 14%, while transshipment volumes, the port’s core business, expanded over 5%.
The SLPA highlighted that this achievement was made possible through the collaborative efforts of both state-owned and private terminals. Looking ahead, the authority projects that Colombo Port could surpass the 10 million TEU mark in 2026, signaling continued growth and competitiveness in regional shipping.
FACETS Sri Lanka 2026 Inaugurated, Ushering in a New Era for the Island of Gems
