Cabinet Approves Merger of Gem & Jewellery Bodies 💎

• Key Institutional Reform: The Cabinet of Ministers approved integrating the Gem and Jewellery Research and Training Institute (established in 1995) as a dedicated Research and Training Division under the National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA). • Strategic Rationale: Proposal submitted by Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunneththi aims to eliminate operational duplication, optimize resource allocation, and remove policy inconsistencies between parallel state entities. • Legal Alignment: Authorization granted to initiate necessary legal amendments under the provisions of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority Act, No. 50 of 1993 to formalize the unified operational framework. • Industry Context: Focuses on streamlining efficiency and strengthening state oversight to boost Sri Lanka's high-value gem & jewellery export sector.