Sri Lanka, July 28 -- The National Gem and Jewellery Authority has been established by the National Gem and Jewellery Authority Act No. 50 of 1993. In accordance with the provisions of that Act, the Gem and Jewellery Research and Training Institute was established in the year 1995 for research and training activities related to the gem and jewellery industry.

Although parallel services for the development of the gem and jewellery industry are being provided by both of the said institutions, it has been observed that due to the lack of an integrated methodology, wastage of resources and policy contradictions arise during their operation. Based on the recommendations presented by the Committee of Officers for Reviewing Non-Commercial Insti...