Sri Lanka is set to strengthen its position as a global destination for precious gemstones with plans to establish what is being described as the world’s first Gem and Jewellery Tourist Village in Passara, Badulla.
The proposed tourist village will be developed at Sapuroda, located between the Badulla–Ella tourism corridor and Badulla city, creating a new attraction that combines Sri Lanka’s gem heritage with tourism, nature and direct access to the country’s renowned gemstone industry.
According to Sanjeewa Moonamalpe, Naula Zone Manager of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority, around 40 acres surrounding Sapuroda village have been identified for the project.
The development is expected to offer both local and international visitors an opportunity to experience Sri Lanka’s gem-mining traditions while enjoying the natural beauty of the Namunukula mountain range and the scenic ecosystem stretching towards Ella and Wellawaya.
A key attraction of the proposed project will be an underground gem museum, which is planned to showcase Sri Lanka’s rich geological and gem-mining heritage.
The concept also envisages giving visitors a practical understanding of gemstone mining. Tourists will have the opportunity to experience how underground mines operate, observe gemstones recovered from beneath the earth and examine mineral crystals found in Sri Lanka. A demonstration of traditional flat-mining techniques is also planned.
Importantly, the village could create a unique marketplace for visitors seeking rare and authentic Sri Lankan gemstones and jewellery, potentially connecting tourists directly with the country’s gem industry. Sri Lanka is internationally renowned for its precious stones, particularly Ceylon sapphires, while the country’s gem trade remains an important foreign-exchange earner.
By integrating mining experiences, geological education, jewellery and tourism, the project could create a new high-value tourism product while providing greater visibility for Sri Lankan gemstones among international visitors.
The Passara initiative therefore has the potential to transform the region into a distinctive gem-tourism destination and further promote “Ceylon Gems” as a globally recognised premium brand.
Source : Daily News
