Ceylon GemlogueThe Gem Dialogue
A speaker on stage before the full Cinnamon Grand atrium at Gemlogue 2025
01 · Meet

The Inaugural
Dialogue

28 September 2025 · Cinnamon Grand Atrium, Colombo

← Meet
Gemlogue 2025

Where it began

The inaugural Ceylon Gemlogue took place on 28 September 2025 at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo Atrium, bringing together over 250 attendees from Sri Lanka and around the world for a gathering centered on gems, heritage, innovation, and the future of the industry.

Curated by Ceylon Gem Chronicles, Gemlogue was created to spark global dialogue around Sri Lanka’s gem legacy. From the unveiling of the historic Banku Pattaley to conversations on branding, technology, craftsmanship, and transformation, the event marked the beginning of a new chapter for Sri Lanka’s gem story.

28 September 2025

How the day unfolded.

Guests lighting the traditional oil lamp at the opening
Opening

A traditional welcome

The day began with the lighting of the traditional oil lamp, followed by a dance performance on the main stage.

Hon. Dr. Rizvie Salih turning the wheel of the Banku Pattaley beside the craftsman
Chief guest

The Banku Pattaley turns again

Hon. Dr. Rizvie Salih · Deputy Speaker, Parliament of Sri Lanka

Gemlogue’s chief guest turned the wheel of the restored Banku Pattaley: the first time in history that a Deputy Speaker of Parliament has done so.

The talks

Four voices, four ways in.

  • Samitha Liyanage speaking on the Ceylon Gemlogue 2025 stage

    Mr. Samitha Liyanage

    President, Gemmologists' Association of Sri Lanka“The Inner World of Gems”

    A gemmologist's view inside the stone: microscopic images of inclusions that reveal the beautiful world hidden within gemstones.

  • Mubashir Mansoor presenting a slide on how rubies and sapphires are treated

    Mr. Mubashir Mansoor

    Materials engineer, physicist and gemmologist

    The science of heat treatment, and how Sri Lanka can use it to develop its gem industry.

  • Qadheer Rawoof at the podium in front of his title slide

    Mr. Qadheer Rawoof

    Co-founder & CEO, Gemelry“The Digital Future of the Sri Lankan Gem Industry”

    Innovations that can be applied in the gem world, from the founders of GemTwin, a 3D imaging technology for gemstones.

    gemelry.com ↗ (opens in a new tab)
  • Dilith Jayaweera speaking at the podium

    Hon. Dilith Jayaweera

    Member of Parliament, entrepreneur and media leader

    Why Sri Lanka must move beyond simply trading its gems, and use storytelling and branding to go from small profits to super profits.

The five panellists and the moderator on the Gemlogue 2025 stage
The panel

From the stage to Parliament.

Representatives of Sri Lanka’s three main gem associations shared the stage with Hon. Dr. Harsha de Silva and Mr. Samantha Gunasekara to discuss the issues facing the industry.

That conversation is what took the gem industry to the Parliament of Sri Lanka. On 27 January 2026, the Committee on Public Finance met to discuss the issues facing the gem and jewellery sector.

Read the Ada Derana report ↗ (opens in a new tab)
  • Mr. Rizwan NayeemChairman, Ceylon Gem & Jewellery Traders Association (formerly the Chinafort Gem & Jewellery Traders Association)
  • Mr. Ajward DeenImmediate Past President, Sri Lanka Gem & Jewellery Association
  • Mr. Priyantha WeliwattaChairman, Lanka Gem Dealers and Miners Association
  • Hon. Dr. Harsha de SilvaMember of Parliament and Chair of the Committee on Public Finance
  • Mr. Samantha GunasekaraChairman, Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA)
Justin K. Prim at the podium with his title slide, The Art and Evolution of Sri Lankan Gemcutting
Keynote

The Art and Evolution of Sri Lankan Gemcutting

Mr. Justin K. Prim · American gemcutter, author and lapidary scholar

The keynote looked at gem cutting, from its history to today’s machines, and how cutters can improve their craft.

In pictures

Gemlogue 2025, frame by frame.

Photographs: Dulan Abesekara Photography
Venue

Cinnamon Grand Colombo Atrium

Colombo 03, Sri Lanka

The Cinnamon Grand Atrium provided the perfect stage for the inaugural dialogue — an open, light-filled space in the heart of Colombo's cultural district, moments from the city's gem quarter.

See Gemlogue 2026 →