Sri Lanka’s centuries-old gem trade, long celebrated for its dazzling treasures and enduring craftsmanship, is preparing to step into the global spotlight like never before. The country will host Ceylon Gemlogue 2025, the first-of-its-kind international gem dialogue forum, on September 28 at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo.

Presented by Ceylon Gem Chronicles and endorsed by leading industry associations including the Ceylon Gem & Jewellery Traders Association (CGJTA), GemSriLanka, and the Lanka Gem Dealers and Miners Association the event is billed as the “TED Talk of the gem world.”

 Organizers say it will blend storytelling, live demonstrations, and thought leadership, positioning Sri Lanka not only as a source of precious stones but as a global hub of knowledge and innovation in the gem trade.

“This is a rare and inspiring moment for the industry,” said Dumindu Katuwala, Founder of Ceylon Gem Chronicles and Convener of Ceylon Gemlogue 2025. “No industry is without challenges, but by coming together, we can make Sri Lanka shine brighter on the world stage.”

The forum has attracted heavyweight sponsors such as Manjari, Wijaya Gems, and Maera Jewellery, who share the vision of safeguarding Sri Lanka’s cultural gem legacy while equipping the trade with a modern global outlook.

Among the event’s star attractions is Justin K. Prim, a master gem cutter from France who has trained under Sri Lankan experts.

 He will perform a live demonstration using the Banku Pattaley, the island’s centuries-old manual gem-cutting lathe, underscoring how local craftsmanship continues to shape global gemology. “Even my mentor was a Sri Lankan cutter,” Prim noted, adding that his session would pay homage to tradition while offering a masterclass in artistry.

The forum’s agenda also highlights cutting-edge discussions on innovation and entrepreneurship. Qadheer Rawoof, Co-Founder of Gemelry, will present on digital transformation in the gem industry, while Samitha Liyanage, President of the Gemmologists’ Association of Sri Lanka, will lead a session on “The Inner World of Gems.”

Other notable contributions include Mubashir Mansoor, a Turkish physicist and gemologist, on the science of gem heating, and Dilith Jayaweera, Chairman of George Steuart & Co., who will speak on resilience in entrepreneurship.

Adding a policymaking dimension, the forum will host a high-profile panel discussion featuring Dr. Harsha de Silva, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance, alongside Dr. Samantha Gunasekara, veteran gemmologist and current Chairman of MEPA, and other industry leaders representing Rathnapura, CGJTA, and FACETS. The panel will examine regulatory, trade, and investment challenges facing the sector.

At its core, Ceylon Gemlogue 2025 is more than just an exhibition; it is a narrative designed to strengthen Sri Lanka’s global positioning as a trusted gem hub. Organizers say it will help expand international trade, encourage investment, and support education and scientific innovation while preserving the cultural legacy that has made “Ceylon gems” world-renowned for centuries.

With global experts, local artisans, and policymakers converging under one roof, the event promises not only to celebrate the island’s rich gem heritage but also to chart a forward-looking path for its future. As anticipation builds, Sri Lanka’s gem industry is preparing to remind the world that its treasures are not just stones, but stories of resilience, artistry, and tradition that shine across generations.

Sri Lanka’s push to establish itself as a hub for digital products and services is gathering momentum through fresh support from Germany, but questions over new tax policies and institutional credibility threaten to undercut the opportunity.

The Export Development Board (EDB) is set to sign a cooperation agreement with Germany’s Import Promotion Desk (IPD), widening a partnership that has already helped exporters of natural ingredients and processed foods secure valuable contracts in Europe.

The deal, announced during a visit to Colombo by IPD Head Julia Bellinghausen earlier this month, promises to link Sri Lankan digital SMEs directly with European buyers through B2B matchmaking, sourcing missions and trade fair participation.

Stefan Schutze Tobar, IPD’s sector lead for digital products, toured local IT firms to assess their export potential and identify those suitable for inclusion in IPD’s buyer programmes.

EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe described the agreement as an expansion of earlier successes in natural ingredients, saying it would bring institutional know-how and compliance training to local companies, while giving them access to sustainable market entry opportunities in the European Union.

This partnership comes at a time when the country’s export earnings are surging. In 2024, Sri Lanka posted a record US$16.17 billion in exports, a 7 percent increase from the previous year.

Services exports, including ICT and business process management, contributed US$3.46 billion, growing more than 8 percent year-on-year.

Momentum has continued into 2025, with total exports in the first seven months reaching nearly US$10 billion, up almost 8 percent over the same period in 2024. Services brought in more than US$2.1 billion, reflecting nearly 10 percent growth.

These figures underline the increasing importance of the services sector as a generator of foreign exchange.

Yet even as exports grow, the sector faces turbulence from the government’s fiscal agenda. The NPP administration has signaled plans to tax foreign income, including service exports, at a rate of 15 percent.

This has alarmed freelancers and small digital firms, who warn that such measures could stifle competitiveness, erode margins and drive talent overseas.

 At the same time, legislation has already introduced an 18 percent value-added tax on digital services provided by non-resident companies to Sri Lankan consumers. Initially due to take effect in October 2025, the VAT has now been postponed to April 2026 after industry pushback, underscoring the tension between revenue needs and market realities.

Critics argue that while new taxes may widen the government’s income base, they risk undermining a sector that is one of Sri Lanka’s fastest-growing earners. Others point to longstanding accusations of cronyism within the EDB, warning that unless reforms ensure fair and transparent access to export promotion initiatives, the benefits of international partnerships may be captured by a narrow circle of insiders.

Sri Lanka now stands at a crossroads: the German partnership offers a rare chance to embed local digital SMEs in lucrative European markets, but the success of this initiative will depend on whether domestic policies nurture or hinder that growth.Without predictable taxation, transparent institutions, and genuine support for small and medium exporters, the country risks losing momentum just as its digital economy is beginning to take flight

Sri Lanka’s third nano-satellite, developed in collaboration with the Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech), Japan, and the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies (ACCIMT), Sri Lanka, was successfully deployed into orbit at 2:20 p.m. yesterday (19).

The research satellite, named BIRDS-X Dragonfly, will conduct three key space research missions. Notably, the ACCIMT confirmed that the project comes at no cost to Sri Lanka, as it was funded by the Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC), with launch and deployment facilitated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

The initiative was originally conceived by former ACCIMT Director-General Eng. (Dr.) Sanath Panawennage as part of a Kyutech–ACCIMT collaboration. The project was supported by several international partners in recognition of Sri Lanka’s strategic and technical contributions.

BIRDS-X Dragonfly was carried to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the SpaceX-33 rocket, launched by NASA on August 24. Its successful deployment marks another milestone in Sri Lanka’s journey in space technology development.

This is Sri Lanka’s third nanosatellite contribution:

• Ravana-1 (2019) – Developed through an ACCIMT–Kyutech collaboration.
• Kitsune (2022) – Launched under a five-party international venture coordinated by Kyutech, with ACCIMT as a key partner.
• BIRDS-X Dragonfly (2025) – Now deployed, advancing experimental communications technology.

Main Missions of BIRDS-X Dragonfly:

• In-orbit testing of a new communication sub-system: Trialling a low-cost UHF transceiver built from commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components for future nanosatellite missions.
• APRS Digipeater: Relaying Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) messages, enabling global amateur radio operators to experiment with satellite-based communication.
• Store-and-Forward Communication: Demonstrating data relay capability, allowing user messages to be uploaded, stored, and later downlinked across regions.

The ACCIMT described the launch as an effort to “bring diversity to the space sector and democratize space usage,” underscoring Sri Lanka’s growing role in international space research.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that in order to advance the country economically, it is essential to ensure efficiency and transparency across all sectors. He further noted that the current Government’s digitalisation programme is designed to elevate Sri Lanka not only economically but also socially.

The President made these remarks while participating in the ceremony held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), Colombo, to launch the National Cyber Protection Strategy (2025–2029) and to open the National Cyber Security Operations Centre (NCSOC) yesterday (19).

The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (Sri Lanka CERT), in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Economy and with technical support from the World Bank, has introduced the National Cyber Protection Strategy 2025–2029. This initiative aims to build a secure, reliable, and inclusive digital ecosystem as part of Sri Lanka’s digital economic transformation programme.

The strategy includes:

• Establishing the legal and administrative framework for cyber security.
• Developing a skilled cyber security workforce.
• Raising public awareness, including school-level education.
• Improving state institutional preparedness.
• Strengthening Sri Lanka CERT’s capacity.
• Protecting critical digital infrastructure.
• Encouraging multi-stakeholder collaboration for a safer cyberspace.

The National Cyber Security Operations Centre, inaugurated at the event, will provide 24-hour monitoring of 37 key institutions—including Immigration, Motor Traffic, and Inland Revenue—to detect and counter potential cyber-attacks. It will also issue real-time alerts, safeguard government systems, and support both public and private sectors to ensure resilience and reliability in digital operations.

President Dissanayake, who also serves as the Minister of Digital Economy, stressed that countries advancing quickly in science and technology secure rapid progress, while those failing to adapt fall behind. He underscored that the new cyber security framework is not just an office or facility but a crucial foundation for Sri Lanka’s digital economic future.

He further emphasized that digitalisation must be the central strategy of the economy, ensuring transparency in state functions, unlocking new business opportunities, and improving citizens’ quality of life. The President also pointed out that while concerns exist about technology eroding human emotions, the real task is to build resilient networks using technology itself to protect society from risks.

Concluding his remarks, the President extended his appreciation to all scholars and professionals who contributed to developing the strategy and the new centre, noting that this marks the beginning of a transformative chapter in Sri Lanka’s journey toward a digital economy.

Several spells of showers will occur in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Northern and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at a few places in Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 1.00 p.m.

Fairly strong winds of about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in North-central and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee and Hambantota districts.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

On September 18, 2025, Sri Lankan all-rounder Dunith Wellalagestepped onto the field in Abu Dhabi to represent his country in a crucial Asia Cup match against Afghanistan. Unbeknownst to him, his father, Suranga Wellalage, was watching from home in Colombo, proud yet anxious, as any father would be. Tragically, Suranga suffered a fatal heart attack during the match — a moment that would forever change Dunith’s life.1

The match itself was bittersweet. Sri Lanka won, but Dunith had a rough outing, conceding 32 runs in the final over, including five sixes from Mohammad Nabi — a moment that quickly became fodder for online trolls.2

The Cruelty of the Crowd Behind the Screen

In today’s digital age, a single poor performance can spark a wildfire of abuse. Social media platforms, once meant to connect fans and players, have become breeding grounds for bullying, harassment, and emotional torment. A study by the International Olympic Committee revealed that up to one-third of posts directed at athletes contain negative content, often laced with racism, sexism, and hate.3

Cricketers like Mohammed Shami, Hasan Ali, and Chris Jordan have faced vile abuse for moments that didn’t go their way. These are not just statistics — they are human beings with families, emotions, and dreams. The mental toll is immense. Some players have admitted to avoiding their phones for days, unable to sleep, haunted by anonymous hate.3

Suranga Wellalage: A Father’s Quiet Sacrifice

Suranga was a former cricketer himself, having captained Prince of Wales College, a respected figure in Sri Lanka’s school cricket scene.2He lived humbly, never seeking the spotlight despite his son’s rising fame. But like any father, he must have feared the cruelty of public judgment, especially when his son faltered.

We often forget that behind every cricketer is a family that sacrifices everything — time, money, comfort — to help their child chase a dream. And when that dream is mocked, ridiculed, and torn apart by faceless trolls, it’s not just the player who suffers. It’s the entire family.

Did the stress of seeing his son trolled contribute to his heart attack? We may never know. But it’s a question that lingers painfully.

Let’s Be Better Fans

Cricket is a game of glorious highs and crushing lows. Players will fail. They will get dropped. They will rise again. That’s the beauty of sport. But if you cannot accept defeat with grace, you have no business being a fan.

Let’s stop treating cricketers like machines. Let’s stop measuring their worth by a single over or a dropped catch. Let’s remember that they play with passion, pride, and pain — and sometimes, that pain is too much to bear.

Let Suranga Wellalage’s passing be a wake-up call. Real Fans of Sports it’s time to stand up! 

A Personal Note

As someone who grew up playing softball with Suranga in our neighborhood in Francisco Place, Moratuwa — before we went on to represent opposing schools in leatherball cricket — this loss hits close to home. I can vouch Suranga and his wife were not just Dunith’s father and mother; They were mentors, supporters, and a quiet pillar of strength.  

Bevan Perera 

Former Cricketer St Sebastian’s College Moratuwa