The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the restructuring of the Gem and Jewellery Research and Training Institute, integrating it as the Research and Training Division of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority.
The National Gem and Jewellery Authority was established under the Act No. 50 of 1993, while the Research and Training Institute was set up in 1995 to support industry‑related research and training.
Although both institutions have contributed to the development of Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery sector, officials noted that the lack of an integrated mechanism has led to resource wastage and policy contradictions.
Following a review by an officials’ committee chaired by the Secretary to the Prime Minister, policy approval was granted at the Cabinet meeting held on March 17, 2025, to merge the two institutions.
Subsequently, the Secretary of the Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development appointed a committee to recommend structural reforms.
Based on its report, the Cabinet endorsed the proposal presented by the Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development to restructure the institute under the authority and to take necessary legal steps in line with the 1993 Act. (Newswire)