News
Lanka’s largest sapphire-family corundum kindles China, US interest
ECONOMYNEXT – The largest natural corundum ever recorded in Sri Lanka, which could also be the largest in the world, has attracted interest from potential buyers from China and the US, the 310 kilogram stone’s owner said.
Chamila Suranga, founder of the Gemmological Institute of Ratnapura, which owns the stone, said Chinese buyers have started to express interest after Chinas Xinhua news agency reported on it.
One of the inquiries came through a local gem exporter who had been dealing with China for over 30 years, he said.
“I understand that a Chinese museum is interested in this stone, which we have named the Queen of Asia,” Suranga said.
“We also got an inquiry from an American buyer who wanted to get it and gift it to a top US natural history museum.
Agents representing buyers from both countries had already visited to view the stone, he said.
Suranga said a Duba-based gem trading house had offered to conduct an international auction on a 60/40 split and had offered a base fee of one million dollars to bring it to Dubai.
Suranga said GIR was now pursuing the option and an auction is likely early in 2022.
The Chinese buyer had wanted to know what price was set on the stone.
“But what we said was that we wanted to auction it,” Suranga said. “Then it will be more exciting.”
Suranga is hoping that the geopolitical rivalry between China and the US will extend into gemmology.
A Sri Lankan official said the rarity of the stone would be a key factor in its value.
“This is the largest single corundum stone recorded in Sri Lanka,” Thilak Weerasinghe, Chairman of Sri Lanka’s Gem and Jewelry Authority said last week.
“This is not an aggregate. It is a single stone. As far as we know it could be the largest recorded corundum in the world.”
Sri Lanka had earlier found a star sapphire aggregate or cluster weighing around 500 kilograms.
He said the price fetched by the stone would come from its rarity.
The stone, which is opaque on the outside in parts, has clear blue patches inside.
Corundum is the family of gem made up of the mineral aluminum oxide, including geuda, blue and red sapphire.
Test conducted on samples obtained form the stone had confirmed that it had refractive index of 1.76 to 1.77, the same as sapphire and hardness of 9.0, Suranga said.
News
Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail
A meeting between Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and relevant ministry officials was held on Tuesday (08) at the Presidential Secretariat regarding the development plans to be implemented in Sri Lanka under three zones, in collaboration with the Surbana Jurong Institute of Singapore and 18 Ministries.
During the meeting it was discussed in detail regarding the plans for the Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project. The officials from Singapore-based urban planning and infrastructure consultancy Surbana Jurong also joined the discussion virtually.
Progress reports on the three projects were reviewed in detail and Dr. Kumanayake instructed the officials to identify any deficiencies and finalize the necessary actions within the next two weeks.
The discussion also addressed delays in securing necessary approvals for investments under the existing regulatory framework, as well as the urgent need to revise certain legislative instruments to better facilitate national development.
The meeting was attended by Secretary to the Prime Minister G.P. Saputhanthri, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russel Aponsu, Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing U.G. Ranjith Ariyaratne, and several senior officials from the respective ministries.
News
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology has issued a Warm Weather Advisory for 09 April 2025
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, and Western provinces and in Monaragala district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned below is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Prof. Jayasumana raises possibility of Lanka ending up with “Quad’
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has said it is the responsibility of the NPP government to submit the MoUs/agreements that were recently signed with India to the respective Sectoral Oversight Committees (SOCs).
Premadasa said so when The Island raised the issue with him. He said that during his meeting with Premier Modi his focus had been on opening the Indian market for Sri Lankan garment exports.
The seven MoUs/agreements signed on 05 April included defence cooperation, energy, Eastern Province development and digitalisation.
Meanwhile, the Vice President of Sarvajana Balaya and former lawmaker Prof. Channa Jayasumana said that the government owed an explanation whether the recently signed MoU on defence cooperation directly or indirectly attached Sri Lanka to the Quad security alliance, consisting of the US, Australia, Japan and India.
The former SLPPer raised the issue at a meeting held at Boralesgamuwa on Monday (07) in support of Sarvajana Balaya candidates contesting the May 6 LG polls.
Prof. Jayasumana urged that the MoU on Defence Cooperation be placed before Parliament, and the people, without further delay. The academic who served as State Health Minister during President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s foreign policy direction should be dealt with.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail
IPL 2025: Sensational Priyansh Arya condemns Chennai Super Kings to another loss
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
-
Business2 days agoColombo Coffee wins coveted management awards
-
Business4 days agoDaraz Sri Lanka ushers in the New Year with 4.4 Avurudu Wasi Pro Max – Sri Lanka’s biggest online Avurudu sale
-
Features3 days agoStarlink in the Global South
-
Business5 days agoStrengthening SDG integration into provincial planning and development process
-
Business4 days agoNew SL Sovereign Bonds win foreign investor confidence
-
Sports6 days agoTo play or not to play is Richmond’s decision
-
Features3 days agoModi’s Sri Lanka Sojourn
-
Sports5 days agoNew Zealand under 85kg rugby team set for historic tour of Sri Lanka