Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2021-01-04

Publishing 'National Gem and Jewellery (Gem Mining License) Regulations 2020'

- In terms of the provisions of State Gem Corporation by-law imposed under the provisions of the State Gem Corporation Act No. 3 of 1971, a license for gem industry could be obtained for the lands with clear and individual ownership and / or freehold ownership only. Accordingly, a person who acquires a land on a lease basis for gem mining cannot apply for a gem mining license . However, it has been observed that approximately 20% of the applications submitted are for the lands owned on shared rights and/or leasehold rights. As such, the proposal for the submission of regulations published in the Gazette Extraordinary Notification No. 2165/1 dated 2020‑03‑02 by the Minister of Industries as per the provisions of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority Act No.50 of 1993 in Parliament for approval so as to issue license for such applicants as well, was approved by the Cabinet.