25/07/2026
A Visit to strengthen collaboration in Gem and Tourism Industries between Sri Lanka and Myanmar
With the objective of strengthening the cooperation between Myanmar and Sri Lanka in gemstones, jewellery, tourism, and investment, the Chief Executive Officer and Gemologist of the Nojili Group of Companies in Sri Lanka and Japan, Mr. L.A.D. Palitha has successfully completed a business development visit to Myanmar from 11–17 June 2026. The visit was coordinated by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Yangon
The Nojili Group of Companies is active in the international gemstone and jewellery trade, as well as eco-tourism development, with operations in Sri Lanka and Japan. During the visit, Mr. Palitha undertook an in-depth study of Myanmar’s gem industry and explored opportunities for future collaboration between the two countries, in the respective subject area.
As part of the programme, Mr. Palitha visited several important gem and jewellery-related institutions in Yangon, including Scott Market (Bogyoke Aung San Market), gemstone trading centres, and gem and jewellery museums and laboratories. He also held successful business-to-business meetings with leading industry stakeholders, including Ms. Khine Zin Win, Managing Director of Gemro Jewellery, Yangon. These engagements provided valuable insight into Myanmar’s gemstone heritage, industry practices, and potential partnership opportunities.
A major highlight of the visit was Mr. Palitha’s participation in the UMTA Travel Fair - 2026, one of Myanmar’s leading international tourism exhibitions, held from 12–15 June 2026 at the Chatrium Hotel and Sedona Hotel in Yangon. The event was organized by the Yangon Regional Government in collaboration with the Union of Myanmar Travel Association (UMTA).
During the fair, Mr. Palitha met with Mr. Kyaw Bhone Naing, Chairman and President of UMTA, along with tourism leaders, travel operators, investors, and business representatives from Myanmar and abroad. Discussions focused on strengthening tourism cooperation between Sri Lanka and Myanmar, particularly in eco-tourism, cultural tourism, heritage tourism, and outbound travel markets.
Mr. Palitha also developed productive relations with UMTA and Myanmar Tourism Marketing (MTM), with talks centered on tourism promotion, visitor exchange, joint marketing, and long-term business partnerships. Under the instructions of the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Myanmar, Mrs. Prabashini Ponnamperuma, the visit was coordinated by Mr. Lal Kularathna, Minister of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Myanmar. The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Yangon welcomed the successful outcome of the visit and noted that such engagements help deepen people-to-people ties and expand economic cooperation between Myanmar and Sri Lanka.