Awareness programme in year 2026

Strengthening AML/CFT Compliance in Sri Lanka’s Gem and Jewellery Sector

Colombo, 18 September 2026 – The National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) successfully conducted an awareness and capacity-building session on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) on 18 September 2026 at the NGJA Head Office, Colombo.

The session was organized as part of the Authority’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its institutional capacity and enhance the effective implementation of AML/CFT obligations within Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery sector.

The programme also focused on strengthening the preparedness of NGJA officials in view of the forthcoming Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) Mutual Evaluation of Sri Lanka.

The session was chaired by the Chairman & CEO of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority, Prof. Chaminda Samarasooriya, together with Director General, Mr. T.H.B.A. Deshapriya, and was attended by members of the AML/CFT Committees of the NGJA, including representatives of the Enforcement & Regional Development, Legal Draftsmen and Promotion Committees.

The awareness session was conducted by resource persons from the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, namely:
Mr. M.G. Perera – Senior Assistant Director, FIU
Ms. Janani Dayaratna – Legal Officer, FIU
Ms. Priyadarshani Yapa – Assistant Director, FIU.

The resource persons provided valuable guidance on the AML/CFT legal and regulatory framework, institutional responsibilities, risk-based approaches, customer due diligence, suspicious transaction identification and reporting, record keeping, and other compliance requirements applicable to the gem and jewellery sector.
Particular attention was given to the role of the NGJA as the regulatory and supervisory authority for the gem and jewellery industry and the importance of maintaining effective systems and controls to prevent the sector from being misused for money laundering and terrorist financing.

The session also provided an opportunity for members of the AML/CFT Committees to strengthen their understanding of the APG Mutual Evaluation process, the expected approach of the evaluation team, and the importance of providing accurate, consistent and evidence-based information relating to the functions and responsibilities of the Authority.

Addressing the participants, the senior management of the NGJA emphasized the importance of inter-divisional coordination, institutional awareness, effective regulatory supervision and continuous capacity building in strengthening AML/CFT compliance within the gem and jewellery industry.

The programme concluded with an emphasis on continued collaboration between the NGJA and the Financial Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to further strengthen Sri Lanka’s AML/CFT framework and safeguard the integrity, transparency and reputation of the country’s gem and jewellery sector.

National Gem and Jewellery Authority
Sri Lanka
18 September 2026

AML/CFT leaflet dissemination program

Kandy,Pusselawa,Nuwaraeliya,Bandarawela,Welimada,Badulla,Passara and Wellawaya gem and jewellery traders

21/07/2026 to 23/07/2026

Progress Review Session on the AML/CFT Action Plan of National Gem and Jewellery Authority – January 2026

A progress review session on the AML/CFT Action Plan of 2023-2028 of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority was held on 22^nd January 2026 at the Authority Head Office premises, with the participation of the eminent retired judge of the Supreme Court, Hon. Justice Buwaneka Aluwihare PC and the officers of the FIU, Sri Lanka including Dr. Subhani Keerthiratne, Director, Financial Intelligence Unit, Dr. Ayesh Ariyarathne, Additional Director, Financial Intelligence Unit and Ms. Theja Pathberiya, Deputy Director, Financial Intelligence Unit.

Hon. Justice Buwanke Aluwihare PC, being the Chairman of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Task Force, stressed the national importance of strengthening AML/CFT framework of the country particularly ahead of the third mutual evaluation and the urgent need of accelerating institutional action plans to address remaining gaps.

The session was attended by the Board of Directors of the Authority and the senior management. During the session, the progress of the actions completed under the AML/CFT action plan was discussed and finalized a time-bound roadmap to address delays/ bottlenecks.

AML/CFT AWARENESS SERIES FOR THE GEM AND JEWELLERY DEALERS IN COLOMBO

The National Gem and Jewellery Authority successfully conducted a series of AML/CFT awareness sessions for the gem and jewellery dealers in Colombo on 10^th February 2026. Accordingly, around 32 gem and jewellery dealers have been visited by the Enforcement Officers of the Authority located within Colombo to verify the effectiveness of their AML/CFT compliance level and to enhance awareness.

The primary objective of the session series was to bridge the gap between the common understanding of hard to comply to productive application in the day-to-day gem and jewellery business. The sessions mainly dealt on the following.

• Importance of adopting an Institutional AML/CFT Policy
• Conducting CDD/ ECDD measures.
• Application of sanction screening tool.
• Institutional risk assessment and red flags

The gem and jewellery dealers diligently and proactively engaged in the awareness sessions indicating their willingness to improve the compliance within the sector

AML/CFT Awareness Leaflets Distribution at Jaffna  – 22^nd and 23^rd January 2026

The National Gem and Jewellery Authority disseminated information brochures on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Terrorist Financing Regulations applicable for the gem and jewellery industry during the mobile services targeting the gem and jewellery dealers held on 22^nd and 23^rd January 2026.

“Shaping the Future of Gem and Jewellery Industry” – Exclusive Knowledge Sharing Session for the Gem and Jewellery Dealers

The National Gem and Jewellery Authority, together with the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association and the Financial Intelligence Unit of Sri Lanka, successfully conducted an awareness session on 16^th February 2026 at the DHPL Building Auditorium, Colombo 02 for the gem and jewellery dealers, exporters and gemologists located in Colombo.

The renowned resource persons: Dr. Daniel Nufeler, Managing Director of the Gübelin Gem Lab Ltd, Switzerland and Ms. Theja Pathberiya, Deputy Director, Financial Intelligence Unit delivered in -depth presentations respectively on ‘Technology driven innovations for the gemstone industry’ and ‘Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing for Terrorism Regulations applicable to the Gem & Jewellery Industry’.

This combination addressed the dynamic shift in the regulatory landscape of gem and jewellery industry where AML/CFT compliance with advanced technologies like blockchain applications are no longer optional, but a necessity to ensure sustainability and integrity in the industry.