Sri Lanka Jewelers - Update

Sri Lanka Jewelers will be starting its daily updates again from 1st of January 2011. We invite you to subscribe and stay in touch with our news and product updates.

Diamonds may well be a girl's best friend

Diamonds may be the girls best friend and many men may also consider wearing diamonds, but for sheer volume of trade, far more colored stones are sold. This is because the colors of most precious and semi-precious stones have always attract the greatest attention. Rubies and Emeralds as well as blue and yellow Sapphires are sought after rather than clear white Zircon or light colored Topaz. The reason for this arise from the profound interaction of color with human moods and behavior.

Updates!

I was very busy over last few weeks. This site is now long due for update. Over the next few weeks, I will update this site with latest informationn.

Business Oriented Practcal Gem Training Classes

Gem Classes by Lion Dr. S.P. Karunanayake.

• Practical Gem Identification, Valuation & Gemology
• Field Trips - Purchasing Gems at Gem Mining Areas.
• Heat Treatment and Cutting & Polishing of Gems.
• Basic Jewelry Essentials.
• Import & Export Procedures - Invoicing and Documentation.

Other Services:

• Gem Cutting & Polishing
• Heat Treatment of Sapphires.
• Jewelry Making Orders Undertaken.

For more information please visit http://www.uslankagem.com

Ceylon Blue Sapphire

This is an original ceylon blue sapphire by gem cottage, a leading gem exporter in sri lanka. This is a fine quality gemstone. Heated to improve the color and luster of the gemstone. The photo shows actual color of the gemstone in the normal room light. It has a brilliant luster when exposure to direct light. You can buy this gemstone by visiting to www.gemcottage.com.

Gemstone specifications:
Item Code: BLS621
Color: Medium Light Blue Color
Shape: Oval Shape
Size: 6.4x4.4mm
Weight: 0.85ct
Price: US $170.00

Journey through the history of gemstones

Varahamihira and Buddhabatta detailed the prices, qualities and defects of jewellery in their time. Several medieval books on gemmology still exists in India. For example the Chalukya king of 600 AD, Someswaradeva III and the Raja Balava of Keladi wrote on the methods to grade gemstones and of their value in the marketplace. Another gemmologist Thakkura Pheru became interested in gemstones when he became an assay master in the mint of the king Qutubuddin Shah of the Delhi Sultanate. These books wrote by ancient indian kings are still used by gemmologiest and jewellers in north india. In these books mentioned about a vast collection of gems that Alauddin won in his campaigns across india. He wrote in his books as follows;

The boxes were full of valuable gemstones, the excellence of which drove the onlookers mad. Every emerald sparked in the light of the sun, or rather the sun reflected back the light of the emerald.

Faceters' Stone Chat" - Jan - March 2010

Faceters' Stone Chat" - Jan - March 2010

Dear All,

The above magazine which contains a wealth of information for Lapidarists is available for reference at the Export Promotion Division.

Best Regards,

Ajith Perera,
Actg. Deputy Director General,
National Gem and Jewellery Authority.

JCK Las Vegas Show 2010

JCK Las Vegas Show 2010 is organized by Export Development Board

Dear All,

Sri Lanka’s participation at the JCK Las Vegas Show 2010 is organized by Export Development Board. If you wish to participate at the above Show please contact Export Development Board direct.

Please find attached a copy of the relevant paper advertisement.

Best Regards,


Ajith Perera,
Actg. Deputy Director General,
National Gem and Jewellery Authority.

Tianjin China World OriginalCommodity Trade Fair

Free booth for Sri lanka (Tianjin China World OriginalCommodity Trade Fair)

Dear Member,

For your Information.

Members who are interested in participating at this show Please contact Mr. Alexi Gunasekera direct.

Mr. Alexi Gunasekera
Commercial Counsellor
Embassy of Sri Lanka ,Beijing
No 3 Jian Hua Lu 100600 China
Tel 0086 10 65325372
008613552737633
Fax 0086 10 65325426 on 00
Thanks and kind regards,

Srikari
Coordinating Assistant.

history of gemstones - 6

Pliny the Elder wrote that quartz was congealed ice. Sex hundred years later, Sir John Madeville stated that a diamond was formed when two large ones, a male and female came together in the hills where the gold lay, and that it grew larger in the dew of a may morning.

The ancient Hindus believed that diamonds owned their origin to bolts of lightning strikes rocks. Even in those times, there were those who thought beyond the supernatural and examined the gems themselves to realise that they were products of the earth just like silver, gold, copper, and metals. However Suramantri Agastya, a sage of Vedic times who wrote exhaustively on gemstones, said that they originated from the bones of Daitya Bala or Dadhichi, a demon endowed with freat strenght who went to heaven to conquer Indra, the king of gods. The gods then slaughtered him in a battle and so he attained salvation. According to this legend as quoted in Ratnapriksha, the classic text on gems.

"There was a powerful king of the Danavas named Bala, endowed with great strength and who proved his valor by conquering the three worlds.

In more than one battle, Divaspati was vanquished by him, and the wife of heros, sachi, was not able to raise her nead with pride. The gods could not defeat this indomitable warrior in open combat; sop they requested him, in the guise of a favor, to become the victim of their sacrifice.

The powerful Bala exceeded the highest serenity of great souls; in the pride of his courage he replied Yes to the gods. Firm in his resolve and asking for nothing in the face of the agony that extinguished his life giving breath, he was tied to a stake by thirteen strings, like an animal; be was bound by his own word.

His birth beign pure and so pure deed, that the remains after the flames, the bones of his body, became the seeds of gems and had the power of gods in them. Gods, Yakshas, Siddhas, Serpents, made a greate plundering of these seeds of precious stones. In heir hasty fight through the clear sky they dropped some peices and everywhere in the pieces fell.

In the sea, the rivers, the mountains, the forests, this seed by its inconcievable weight became the resting place. Diamonds are formed from his bones, pearls from his teeth, ruby from his blood emeralds from his bile, sapphire from his eyes, beryl from his fluids, chrysoberyl from his marrow, catseye from his fingernails, crystal from his fat, coral from his flesh, topaz from his skin and moonstones from his semen."

Buddhabatta, a buddhist monk of the late fifth century AD and author of the first complete text on gemology amended this story to write that it was Vela with his sapphire blue eyes and topaz like skin who led the gods sacrifice his body which became gemstones. The Devas, Yakshas, Siddhas and Nagas rushed to grab these gems and in the melee, some stones fell to earth. Ravana attaked the Sun as he aws running away with Vela's blood, and during the fight, a few drops fell in to the Ravanaganga, a river in Sri Lanka and became rubies. According to Pheru, a Swetambara Jain who was born around 1270 AD, the powerful demon Bala went to heaven to battle Indra, but there he was persuaded to become the beast in the Gods sacrifice. The slaughtered parts of his body became gemstones. Diamonds are formed from his bones, pearls from his teeth, ruby from his blood emeralds from his bile, sapphire from his eyes, beryl from his fluids, chrysoberyl from his marrow, catseye from his fingernails, crystal from his fat, coral from his flesh, topaz from his skin and moonstones from his semen. The nine planets seized these gems as they fell to earth. The sun took the ruby and the moon, the pearl. Mars got caral and Mercury emerald. Topaz was given to Jupiter, Venus took the diamond and Saturn got the sapphire while Rahu obtained zircon and Ketu got the beryl. Later these stones slipped from the hands of the planets and sank deep into the earth.

Ancient Sanskrit works such as the Mahabarata, Ramayana, Sukraniti, Suruta Ratnapariska, the Kamasutra of Vatsayana, Bribatsambita, Agnipurana, Garudapurana and the Yuktikalpataru discussed gemstones properties and usage in everyday life. According to them, good gems were flawless. pure and cause prosperity. Flawed stones destroyed money, sons and property and even one bad gem in a collection destroyed the luster and efficiency of the good ones.

The tests also refer to various sites where diamonds were found. The Arthabastra of Kautilya refer to Himalaya, Surat in Gujrat, Venwa in Maharashtra, Venaganga or Saubira in the Punjab, Kalinga in Orissa, Kosala in Ayodhya, Matanga in the Deccan and Paunda in Burdwan as areas where diamonds were found. According to him the best diamonds were available in south India, particularly at Kaveripattinam, a center foe the gemstones at the mouth of the river Cauvery. A book on travel and trade written by a Roman merchant of the first century AD, The Periplus, talks of buying diamonds from India. The second century AD Tamil classic Silapaddikaram describes the diamond market in Madurai where ruby and sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and south India, pearls from Mannar (Sri Lanka) and rubies from Burma were traded. Merchants from Rome, Egypt and Greece setup offices there as evidence by the finds of Roman coins in that area.

history of gemstones - 5

Although in the late nineteenth century science began to explain many of the phenomena attributed to gems, superstitions prevail. Steeped in myth and legend, countless beliefs and fascinating tales are related about the mysterious powers of gems and precious stones. Even in the sceptically age of today, they are believed to affect the wearer, often to the good and sometimes with disastrous consequences. For instance, in 1995 a woman swallowed a large diamond and when surgeon and nurses in Kitwit, Zaire operating on her, removed and stole it, the stone apparently avenged itself by causing the Ebola virus that killed the hospital staff and the spread through Africa.

India was always a fabulous source of gems, perhaps the only country that produced and exported them to Babylon and Persia. The Milinda0Panha of the first century BC specified that a diamond had to be pure throughout its volume and that it should be mounted together with the most closely gems. Int he days of Ptolemy, in the third century BC, there was a thriving export trade from India and Sri Lanka for gemstones, particularly diamonds from India and other precious gemstones from Sri Lanka. Pliny in 23-79 AD said that India produced more gemstones that any other land. Manuscripts from the temple town of Madurai in India indicate that there has been a three thousand year long tradition of mining and trading in them.

From the third century BC to the present day, the cutting and polishing of gemstones was and is still an esoteric art in India.

Men have speculated on the origin of gemstones. Theophratus the Greek thought that stones were fluids solidified through heat and cold. He believed that amber was solidified urine of the lynx, the male producing amber was of a red tinge. Other experts of his time said it was the rays of the setting sun congealed in the sea and then cast upon the shore that was amber while Greek poets described the resin as the tears shed by the Heliades when they heard of the death of their brother Phaeton.

history of gemstones -4

All over the world gems adorned kings and the rich and powerful. The Egyptian Pharaohs held vast treasures of lapis lazuli and turquoise, while the jades of ancient China, turquoise of the Native Americans, and rubies, emeralds and sapphires of India ans south-east Asia have been described in various accounts.

Ornaments strudded with rare and valuable gems were worn for important ceramonies such as coronations, weddings, and funerals. Great events like victories in battle were not only linked to these gems, but were believed to be regulated by the power of these same gemstones. The Greek and Romans valued the diamonds greatly because of its mystic powers of endowing the wearer with purity, love, joy, courage and streght in battle. It was a talisman against poison, insanity and all evil spirits. Scholars and priests of the church supported the view that gems caused singular and unexplained miracles. THis view was prevalent even durung the Renaissance period. In 1664 AD, Anselm Boece de Boot, physician to the emperor Maximilian II reported that "from their purity, brilliancy and beauty it is most probable that gems were selected as receptavles for good spirits even as filthy, stinking ans frightful places are usually the abodes of unclean spirits". Gradually the belief that gems were pure and the Romans codified and thought tot he Germans in the north. The current cult of birthstones is a consequence of the development.

history of gemstones -3

Hard stones like diamonds and rubies were also collected as pretty objects that could be worn. Once the techniques discovered to cut and polished these gemstones, men shaped gemstones into beads and strung them into necklaces and bangles. Gemstones were then set into metal and wear around the neck as necklaces, talismans, or amulets. The earliest use of such charms dates to the Mesolithic period when carves amulets were worn to protects hunters against wild beasts. In fact the word 'amulet' is derived from the Arabic 'hamalet' but according to Varro it was adopted from amoliri because it drove away sickness or harm. The Greek word 'telesma' became the Arabic 'tisam' and from this word talisman evolved. As protective talismans sailors often carried aquamarines carved with the image of Poseidon, the god of the sea as protection against storms.

Archeological excavations have shown that lustrous minerals were used for adornment as far back as 100,000 BC. The ancient civilizations of Sumer, Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, and India excelled in the art of cutting and polishing of gemstones. Around 100,000BC to 75,000BC rock crystals, amethyst and citrine, part of the quarts group of mineral were worn as jewellery. AS the demand for gems increased, regular digging such as the ancient lapis lazuli mines of Afghanistan began to operate and have been producing stones continuously for the last 7000 years. Excavations have revealed that around 4000 BC, emeralds were mines from near the red sea and set into jewelry and that ruby jewellery came to be worn around 600 to 500 BC, while the use of diamonds began later around 480 BC. Soft colored gemstones like lapis and agate were engraved into cylinder seals, beads and rings and often fashioned into talismans.

history of gemstones -2

The most beautiful crystals and gems were considered superbly powerful. They were assumed to be full of life because they emitted light, had an attractive color and easily cought the eye. Their hardness, clarity, brilliance, eternal newness and performance give them magical, miraculous and mysterious powers and convinced people that they had supernatural origins. Certain stones were observed to be lucky for some people and these observations were soon formalized with each gem begin allocated a day of the week, an hour of the day and a sign of a zodiac or an important person or position.

More religious of the world associate gemstones with the splendor of the gods. Indian legend state that Dwarka, the city of Kishna was a high and squire city measuring hundred yojanas with cupolas of diamonds, pillars of emeralds and courtyards of rubies. The legendary El Dorado was similarly extravagantly described.

Along with other Hindu ideas, Buddhism regarded diamond as a symbol of religious virtue. The poem Questions of king Milinda elaborate this;

Just O King, as the diamond is pure throughout, just so, O King, should the strenuous Bhikku (seeker of truth) earnest in effort, be perfectly pure in his means of livelihood. This O king is the first quality of the diamond be ought to have. And again, O king, the diamond can not be alloyed with other substance, just so O King should the strennous Bhikku, earnest in effort never mixed with wicked men as friends. This O king is the second quality of a diamond be ought to have. And again O king as the diamond is set together with the most closely gems, just O king, should the strennous Bhikku earnest in effort, associate with those of the highest excellence, with men who have earned the first, second or third stage of the noble path, with the jewel treasures of the Arahath of the recluses of the threefold wisdom, or of the six fold insight. This O king is the third quality of the diamond be ought to have. For it was said, O king by the blessed one (The Lord Buddha), the god over all gods, in the sutta nipatha, let the pure associated with the pure. Ever un recollection firm, Dwelling harmoniously wise, Thus shall ye put an end to griefs.

Another story says that The Lord Buddha received supreme enlightenment under the sacred tree of knowledge; this tree was a glowing mass of precious stones with diamonds on the base, sapphire for roots and fruit of pearls and rubies. The traveler, Hsuan Tsang tells of the throne, a hundred foot in circumference carved out of a single diamond and made at the time of the creation : upon it the 1000 Buddhas of the kalpa reposed and fallen in to ecstasy if the diamond. Earth and sand covered it completely since the Kaliyuga began. The Chinese housed their gods and goddesses in jade places while the revelation of St.John speaks of the heavenly city that rests in gemstones with gates of pearl and walls of jasper. The Talmud says that a brilliant garnet illuminated Noah's ark and according to legend, the ten commandments were engraved in lapis, though some believes that they were carved in Sapphire.

history of gemstones - 1

Gemstones has been a treasure from the day it discovered in the long past history, not only for their beauty, color, performance or hardness but also for their rarity. In the history, some gemstones actually found a practical value, such as jasper or flint, cave men used these gemstones in their arrow heads and other tools to hunt and skinning animals. In that time, there was not an other value to these easily found gemstones. They believe that these shining gems are the core of the earth and they have a magical power within them. Over the time these valuable and rare gems were endowed with magical and supernatural power qualities. For instance around 7000BC Mesolithic man cut pieces of amber with the thought that the resin in its various forms would give him power over animals perhaps because he saw that it had trapped insects.

The operation of mining

The operation of mining, extraction and finishing and selling of gemstones has now become a multi-billion dollar industry, employing several million people all over the world. The gem and jewellery trade is of supreme importance to Sri Lanka, India, as it is provide employment to more than a million cutters and polishers, ans almost an equal number who trade in gemstones.

More participants will be entering to the gemstones industry in the coming years. The export of gemstones, diamonds and other jewellery during last years has been increased by billions of dollars, earning the largest component of foreign exchange and makes up nearly a fifth of the total export revenue of the country.

Intrduction to gemstone history

Of the all gemstones found in the nature the diamond is perhaps the most popular and desired gemstone. Four criteria determine the value of a diamond. And these are known in the trade as four Cs: Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat. A diamond should be colorless or deeply colored; it should be free from flaws and inclusions; it should be cut according to the dimensions that give it the best luster and be without scratches; and the greater its weight, the more expensive it becomes. These considerations also determine in general, the value of any precious gemstone.

The ever increasing demand for gems has often resulted in imitation being sold as genuine. Modern science has also developed techniques to synthesize gemstones, thereby doing in a few hours or days, what nature took several thousands of years to accomplish. Besides, treatment techniques to improve the appearance of poor quality gems have been perfected, so increasing the trade and its payback. The possibility of making large profits by substituting an imitation or cheap synthetic stone in place of a real gem has encourage crime. To assure the customer that he is not being cheated, trade associations have devised many sophisticated tests to identify a genuine stone and thought it is somewhat difficult to know if a gem has been improved by present day sophisticated processes. This can be done with some degree of certainty. Such tests are expensive and so are used mainly on large and expensive gemstones where the cost of testing is small compared to the value of the stone itself.

History of gemstones - While the beauty of gems

While the beauty of gems lies in its color and transparency, its luster and its fire, its value depends on its rarity. The Kohinoor diamond, for instance is priceless because it is the only one of its kind and can not be replaced. It had also retained its beauty through generations of bloody and eventful history, embodying durability, another quality of gemstones. Except for organic gems, like pearl, coral and amber that are soft and must be treated with great care, most gemstones can withstand centuries of fairy rough treatment. This lasting quality had led to the creation of countless legends about their supernatural and heavenly origins. Inevitably they began to play a prominent part in astrology, a connection that has endured through eras into modern times. Even today that are thought to have a profound influence on daily life. Soon gems and jewellery were acquired not just for their supposed ability to change the health, prosperity and course of life of the individual who owned or wore them. Preventive and curative properties too were ascribed to them; this belief has led them to the use of gemstones in medicinal preparations and therapy.

Gems and jewellery have fascinated

Gems and jewellery have fascinated men and women since the beginning of time. Not only do gemstones provide the pleasure of ownership of something valuable, but they also posses an inherent beauty that on occasion caused the death of people. Perhaps it all began when a girl was attracted to a pebble glittering in the river and persuaded her boyfriend to retrieve it for her. He saw this opportunity to enhance his own image and so looked for more similar and bright objects that could make him more attractive. Some times ago gems were found in rivers and they were plenty of that time. When peoples are looking for more gemstones, they began to collect them from the rivers and started to trade them for other peoples.

From apples to diamonds is but a small leap. Men and women started acquiring glittering crystals with forever. Lots of kingdoms and empires were battling for gemstones throughout the histiry. Odd as it may seen, the history of human civilization is intimately linked to the existence of pretty bits of mineral and organic materials. Gems have been used throughout the history as symbols of wealth, as talisman, as objects of worship, as money and medicine. They have been made in to jewellery used for personal adornment and have served as investments and store housed of wealth. Wars have been waged and violence crimes have been committed in pursuit of gems. Kingdoms have been overthrown and unknown parts of the globe explored and mapped in their quest. Fortified by ignorance and superstition, stories have been woven around the great power of gems and their use in jewelry. Some of these tales have endured as legends. Few other commodities have achieved the level of importance that gems have attained in the world affairs.

Diamond Tools

The edge of quality, shining and soft cutting is the main prime concern areas of DIAMOND TOOLS. We had set an edge on diamond cutting tools [faceting tools]. International are is where we focus to our durability and perfection. Our large clientele list of customers around the world has proven our tools on quality and durability.


So when you use our DIAMOND cutting tools your satisfaction is guaranteed as regards to durability and perfection. Quality that makes shines


To give a perfect edge or shine to precious metals [gold, silver, or platinum] and other metals [ brass, copper or aluminum] you need more perfect diamond cutting tools [faceting tools]. These tools are used for faceting & designing non-ferrous metals too. We have a system, that gives our tools the quality and the durability that is needed. QUALITY CONTROL [QC] is emphasized on brazing, turning, planning and many other factors, that helps our tools to be more perfect in high quality. Selected diamond is used as a raw material to give you the value for your money.



TYPE OF TOOLS

American Button OR Fly Wheel Tool
Range: 1 to 3 m.m. Angle: 140 Degrees.



Horizontal Diamond Tool
Range: 1 to 8 m.m. Angle: 140 Degrees






Horizontal in Tablet Diamond Tool
Range: 1 to 8 m.m. Angle: 130 Degrees




Hammer Diamond Tool
Range: 1 to 3 m.m.


CNC Machine Tool
Range: 1 to 3 m.m.


Turning Tool
Range: 1 to 8 m.m.


Pencil Turning Tool
Range: 1 to 3 m.m.

PACKAGING MATERIAL





Special Packaging is done to that so damage occurs to the product.

Note: Extra Charges for Concave, Convex or any other lining on diamond.

Present status of E.M.S. facility offered at the 'N.G.J.A.'

Subject: Present status of E.M.S. facility offered at the ‘N.G.J.A.’

Date : 23.02.2010

Dear All,



1). In accordance with our request made on 11.12.2009 a meeting was convened by the Post Master General on 16.02.2010. This meeting was Chaired by him and the participants included Chairman E.D.B., Actg. D.D.G.– N.G.J.A., D.G.M.(S.L.I.C.), Secretary & Executive committee members of ‘S.L.G.J.A.’ among others.

2). Following decisions were taken at the meeting.



(a) Instead by ‘E.M.S.’, Gem & Jewellery parcels have to be sent under insured

letter category in the future. This category of parcels are also transported in the same flight along with E.M.S. category mail. Therefore there will not be any undue delays, and the parcels will be acknowledged on delivery and the exporters will have to incur a lesser cost.



(b) Insurance cover for the parcel has to be obtained by the exporter from SLIC

Ltd or any authorized Insurer. It is not necessary to obtain additional

insurance cover from Postal Department. It will be compulsory to affix a

sticker indicating insurance cover and a bar Code label on the parcel.



(c) Postal Department will develop a special page on their website for gem

and jewellery exporters to enable them to track the movements of their

export parcels.



Submitted for your kind information.



Ajith Perera

Actg. Deputy Director General

National Gem & Jewellery Authority

BUSINESS PROMOTION MISSION TO INDIA – COCHIN, COIMBATORE & CHENNAI

BUSINESS PROMOTION MISSION TO INDIA – COCHIN, COIMBATORE & CHENNAI – APRIL 25 – MAY 1, 2010

Introduction

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) will organise a Business Promotion Mission to Cochin, Coimbatore & Chennai, India from April 25 – May 1, 2010.

Objectives

The objectives of this mission are to strengthen trade ties, establish business links, source suitable business partners in the areas of Trade, Investment, Joint Ventures, technology transfer and services.

Focus of the Mission

Meetings with the business communities and officials & members of Kerala Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Cochin Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry in cochin, The Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry in Coimbatore, Andhra Chamber of Commerce and India – ASEAN-Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce & Industry in Chennai,

Total Cost
Rs.191,956/48 (for 7 days) per person with five star accommodation (visa fee not included)

The total cost to be borne by the participant would comprise the Administrative fee of Rs. 69,276/48 (Rs.60,000/- + NBT + 12%VAT) cost of airfare Rs.29,300/- (economy class) & hotel accommodation for seven nights(approximately US$ 115 x Rs.116 x 7 = Rs.93,380/- five star hotel). The total cost inclusive of the VAT component is Rs.191,956/48. If all delegates are agreeable, we could identify a three star hotel which would cost about US$ 65 in Cochin & Coimbatore. Chennai will be higher. We shall try to negotiate either a five or three star hotel according to the majority preference of the delegates.

We are targeting at a 6 - 8 member delegation and registration will be on first come-first served basis

FOR COMPLETE DETAILS PLEASE REFER ATTACHED CIRCULAR

Puvi Domingopillai
Consultant
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
No. 50, Navam Mawatha
Colombo 2
Sri Lanka.
Tel. 009411 2-326096-5-588802,009411-2-421745-6
Fax. 009411-2-437477, 009411-2-449352
E-mail - puvi@chamber.lk
Web - www.chamber.lk and www.bip.lk for your information needs

--------------------- Attachment ---------------------------

THE TENTATIVE PROGRAMME WILL BE AS FOLLOWS. THE DETAILED PROGRAMME WILL BE FORWARDED TO REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS ONCE IT IS FINALISED

April 25, 2010 - Departure Colombo/Cochin via Chennai by IT 062 at 1505

(Colombo/Chennai) Arrival in Chennai 1620

- Departure Chennai/Cochin by IT2485 at 1835

Arrival in Cochin 2010

April 26, 2010

1000 - 1230 - Meeting with the Business Community, Officials & Members of the Kerala

Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI),

– Dress Code Lounge (gents) Business Suit/Saree (ladies)

1430 – 1630 - Meeting with the Business Community, Officials & Members of the Cochin

Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCCI),

– Dress Code Lounge (gents) Business Suit/Saree (ladies)

1800 - 1930 Meeting with the Business Community, Officials & Members of the Indian

Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI),

– Dress Code Lounge (gents) Business Suit/Saree (ladies)

April 27, 2010

- Follow-up meetings on your own

April 28, 2010

08.30 - Departure to Coimbatore by road after breakfast

1500 – 1700 - Meeting with the Business Community, officials & members of Indian

Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI), Coimbatore

– Dress Code Lounge (gents) Business Suit/Saree (ladies)

April 29, 2010 - Follow – up meetings on your own

April 29, 2010 - Departure Coimbatore/Chennai by IT 2906 at 1950

Arrival in Chennai 2105

April 30, 2010

1000 – 1230 - Meeting with the Business Community, officials & members of Andhra

Chamber of Commerce (ACC),

• Dress Code Lounge (gents) Business Suit/Saree (ladies)

1500 – 1700 - Meeting with the Business Community, officials & members of India –

ASEAN – Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (IACCI),

- Dress Code Lounge (gents) Business Suit/Saree (ladies)

May 1, 2010 - Departure to Colombo by IT 061 at 1245

Arrival in Colombo 1405

TRADE

India - Sri Lanka Bilateral Trade Relations

Bilateral economic and commercial relations between India and Sri Lanka have been on a sharp increase, particularly following the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in 1998. Trading under the FTA was implemented in the year 2000. In the last 10 years, our bilateral trade has grown exceptionally and India has emerged as the largest trade partner of Sri Lanka.

An examination of bilateral trade statistics between Sri Lanka and India makes it abundantly clear that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has been a win-win for both Countries. The overall volume of trade has increased profusely. The basket of items being traded has also expanded. India has emerged as the largest source of imports and fourth largest export destination for Sri Lanka (rising from 16^th rank in 2000). India is also now the largest trade partner of Sri Lanka. In terms of overall trade turnover, India is followed by USA and UK, who are largely importers of traditional Sri Lankan products such as garments and tea from Sri Lanka. In fact, India is the most balanced trade partner of Sri Lanka among the top five such partners in the sense both Sri Lankan exports and imports are rather substantial and trade turnover is not made up overwhelmingly by imports or exports, as is the case with other such partners.

As of now, 1180 tariff lines remain in the Sri Lankan negative list that includes Agriculture/livestock items, rubber products, paper products, Iron and Steel, machinery, and electrical items. On the Indian side, there are 429 items in the negative list, which include garments, plastic products and rubber products etc.

Main Items Exported from Sri Lanka

The main items of export from Sri Lanka in 2008 were: coffee, tea and spices (13.47%); electrical machinery and equipment (12.24%); vegetable fats and oils (10.88%); rubber and rubber products (8.53%); Residues and waste from food industry (8.03%); Machinery and mechanical appliances (4.59%); Paper/Paperboard/waste (4.54%); precious or semi-precious stones (4.5%); tugs and pusher craft (3.58%); copper and copper products (3.25%); and others (26.4%).

Product/Description Value US$ million % of Total Coffee, Tea & Spices 52.94 13.47 Electrical Machinery & Equipment 48.11 12.24 Vegetable Fats/ Oils 42.76 10.88 Rubber & Rubber Products 33.54 8.53 Residues & Waste from Food Industry 31.58 8.03 Machinery & Mechanical Appliances 18.06 4.59 Paper / Paperboard - Waste 17.84 4.54 Precious or Semi - Precious Stones 17.68 4.50 Tugs and Pusher Craft 14.07 3.58 Copper & Copper products 12.78 3.25

Main Items exported from India to Sri Lanka

The main items of export from India in 2008 were: Mineral fuels/oils (34.39%); Vehicles other than Railway or Tramway (9.7%); Sugar (5.7%); Cotton (4.95%); Iron & Steel (3.71%); Pharmaceutical products (3.41%); Machinery and mechanical appliances (2.94%); Paper and Paperboard (2.42%); Edible vegetables (2.36%); Copper and copper products (2.25%); and others (28.17%).

Product/Description Value US$ million % of Total Mineral Fuels / Oils 917.68 34.39 Vehicles Other than Railway or Tramway 258.99 9.70 Sugar 152.02 5.70 Cotton 132.18 4.95 Iron & Steel 98.93 3.71 Pharmaceutical products 91.09 3.41 Machinery and Mechanical Appliances 78.53 2.94 Paper and paperboard 64.62 2.42 Edible Vegetables 62.99 2.36 Copper & Copper Products 59.94 2.25

IMPACT OF FTA ON BILATERAL TRADE

Bilateral Trade Figures for last 10 years

Year	Imports from India	Exports to India	Total Trade	Trade Deficit for Sri Lanka	EXIM Ratio SL Imports: SL Exports
All figures in US $ million, (FTA implemented in March 2000)
1999	512	49	561	-463	10.4:1
2000	600	58	658	-542	10.3:1
2001	602	72	674	-530	8.4:1
2002	835	171	1006	-664	4.9:1
2003	1076	241	1317	-835	4.4:1
2004	1358	385	1743	-973	3.5:1
2005	1399	559	1958	-840	2.5:1
2006	1805	489	2294	-1316	3.6:1
2007	2750	516	3266	-2234	5.3:1
2008	2845	419	3265	-2846	6.7:1

FLIGHT DETAILS

IT 062 25^th April Colombo / Chennai Dep.1505/Arr.1620

IT 2485 25^th April Chennai/Cochin Dep.1835/Arr.2010

IT 2906 29^th April Coimbatore/Chennai Dep.1950/Arr.2105

IT 061 01^st May Chennai/Colombo Dep.1245/Arr.1405

Airline - Kingfisher

Airfare (approximate cost)

Economy Class - Rs.29,300/- Per Person with all taxes

Visa fees – Rs. 350/- per person

PARTICIPATION COST

Administrative Cost

Rs. 69,276/48 (Rs. 60,000/- + NBT + 12% VAT) per delegate will be charged being administrative cost to cover, local transport in Cochin, Coimbatore & Chennai, printing of mission brochures, Identity badges, communication cost, etc.

Hotel Accommodation (7 nights)

Five star accommodation approximately US$ 115 nett on Bed & Breakfast basis . We are trying to negotiate a good rate for the delegates. If all delegates are agreeable, we could identify a three star hotel which would cost about US$ 65 in Cochin & Coimbatore. Chennai will be higher. We shall try to negotiate either a five or three star hotel according to the majority preference of the delegates.

Please note that all delegates will be expected to stay in the same hotel.

Airfare:

Airfare (approximate cost)

Economy Class - Rs.29,300/- Per Person with all taxes

Total Cost

The total cost to be borne by the participant would comprise the Administrative fee of Rs. 69,276/48 (Rs. 60,000/- + NBT + 12% VAT) cost of airfare Rs. 29,300/- (economy class) & hotel accommodation for 7 nights (approximately US$ 115 x Rs.116 x 7 = Rs. 93,380 five star hotel) The total cost inclusive of the VAT component is Rs.191,956/48 for seven days exclusive of visa fee. We shall try to negotiate better rates for the hotels in all three places.

We are targeting at a 6 - 8 member delegation and registration will be on first come-first served basis.

OFFICIAL TRAVEL AGENT

We are pleased to inform you that the Chamber has appointed Classic Travel (Pvt) Ltd., No.379/4, Galle Road, Colombo 3, as the Official Travel Agent for this mission. The ticketing and assistance to obtain visa will be handled by them. Participants who wish to do their own ticketing are welcome to do so. However, you are kindly requested to adhere to the flight schedule set out above. In the event the participants opt to do the ticketing through their travel agent, the visa formalities too will have to be handled by the same travel agent. The contact persons for Classic Travel (Pvt) Ltd. would be:

MR. DILSHAN GODFRED, Tel: 4524104/2577527-30, MOBILE: 0777 – 718564

MANORI RANASINGHE, TEL: 4524142/2577527-30, MOBILE: 0773 – 850388

NOMINATION PROCEDURE

Members interested in joining this mission, are kindly requested to return the attached form duly perfected along with a cheque for Rs. 69,276/48 (Rs. 60,000/- + NBT + 12% VAT) (admin cost) per participant drawn in favour of the ‘Ceylon Chamber of Commerce’ and a passport size photograph along with a clear copy of the passport on or before March 9, 2010. Please note that the passport should have at least six months validity.

Since arrangements have to be made to obtain visas and the profiles too have to be sent for matching by March 11, 2010, your immediate response would be greatly appreciated.

Whilst every effort will be made by the Chambers in Cochin, Coimbatore & Chennai to source suitable business partners for the mission members, participating delegates are also kindly advised to do their own market research with regard to potential/opportunities for the products/services they intend promoting into these markets.

We have requested the relevant Chambers in Cochin, Coimbatore & Chennai to provide us with a list of buyers/sellers in advance. The addresses will be passed on to the participants on receipt of the same. However, we wish to inform the participants that according to our past experience, we have not been successful in obtaining the list in advance. Hence, though we would strive to provide you with the addresses, since we depend totally on our counterparts overseas, we cannot guarantee this service.

Sgd.

(Mrs) I P Domingopillai

Consultant

Sri Lanka Jewelers is back!

After a long period of silence, Sri Lanka Jewelers blog is back. I was busy with other works for almost six months. Now I'm little free and want to update Sri Lanka Jewelers blog to provide updated industry news for my readers.

Sri Lanka Jewelers blog is the oldest and most active blog for gem and jewellery industry in Sri Lanka. I cover almost every industry activities in this blog. Now, you can keep coming to this blog to see whats going on in Sri Lankan gem and jewelry market.

There another good news for Sri Lankan gem and jewellery dealers as well as international gem and jewellery buyer and traders. There is another website is schedule to be launched within next 3 months to provide a better access to the Sri Lankan market. Information about this website is still unknown and will be updated on this blog as I get information.