Teams from Medihelp Hospitals celebrate winning three Gold Awards and three Silver Awards at the National Convention on Quality and Productivity (NCQP) 2026 Business Sri Lankan gemological scientist innovates ‘one of world’s most powerful’ gem analysis microscopes Published 5 mi…
Teams from Medihelp Hospitals celebrate winning three Gold Awards and three Silver Awards at the National Convention on Quality and Productivity (NCQP) 2026
Business Sri Lankan gemological scientist innovates ‘one of world’s most powerful’ gem analysis microscopes
Published 5 mins agoon 2026/07/20
Inclusions in a 0.61ct Ruby: A Don Berry 450x view shows rounded apatite and tabular corundum crystals with thermally dissolved edges A Sri Lankan gemological scientist has unveiled a high-magnification digital microscope designed to enhance analysis speed and reveal internal features far beyond the reach of conventional dimensions. The innovator believes this innovation could strengthen transparency throughout the country’s gem and jewellery industry. Milinda Edirisinghe, founder of the Gemological Report of Ceylon (GRC) laboratory in Colombo, said the microscope is the result of two years of research and development to overcome the optical limitations of conventional gemological microscopes. According to Edirisinghe, the new system consists of four digital microscope models capable of magnifications of 450x, 600x, 1000x, and 1440x, allowing gemologists to examine microscopic internal features, or inclusions, with substantially greater clarity than conventional laboratory equipment. These models are named by Edirisinghe as the Don Berry 450x, Don Berry 600x, Don Berry 3rd Eye 1000x, and Don Berry 3rd Eye 1440x. Milinda Edirisinghe “The biggest limitation in gemology has always been what the microscope could actually reveal,” Edirisinghe said in an interview. “Simply increasing magnification was not enough. Many internal features remained difficult to observe clearly, forcing laboratories to rely on indirect analytical techniques and expert interpretation.” He further stated that these advanced microscopes will reveal many previously undiscovered aspects of gemology to the world. Gemological laboratories routinely use advanced analytical methods such as Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and other spectroscopic techniques to identify gemstones, determine treatments and analyse internal characteristics that cannot easily be resolved through optical examination alone. Edirisinghe said this innovation enables much clearer visual observation of inclusions, crystal structures and other internal characteristics. One of the other significant benefits, he said, is the ability to dramatically reduce examination time, as the system’s ultra-high magnification and exceptionally clear images allow gemologists to swiftly analyze stones and identify internal inclusions. “Microscopic examination of a single gemstone could previously take anywhere from 2-3 minutes to few hours, often hampered by poor vision and forcing us to guess the inclusion type most of the time,” he said. “With the new system, a complete examination can often be completed in less than a minute.” The microscope incorporates high-resolution digital imaging, allowing photographs and video recordings of internal gemstone features to be captured, archived and incorporated into laboratory reports. Edirisinghe said the digital records also improve traceability and provide permanent documentation for future references. The system is also designed to integrate artificial intelligence-assisted image analysis. It captures exceptionally clear, ultra-high-quality images of inclusion structures, which are fed into the AI system to be precisely tallied and matched with existing images. According to Edirisinghe, the AI software compares these captured inclusion patterns with an expanding database of reference images to assist gemologists in identifying mineral inclusions and geological characteristics associated with particular gemstone types and origins. Edirisinghe believes the technology could have implications beyond laboratory testing. More detailed identification of internal features may enable jewellery manufacturers to classify gemstones with greater confidence, improve quality assurance and adopt more transparent pricing strategies for premium jewellery, he said. He also says that improved documentation could increase consumer confidence by providing more comprehensive certification of high-value gemstones and diamonds. According to Edirisinghe, most gemological laboratories in Sri Lanka currently use microscopes offering optical magnification ranging from around 90x to 180x, although microscope configurations and capabilities vary between laboratories. His new system combines optical and digital technologies to achieve higher effective magnification while simultaneously capturing digital images. As a veteran gemological scientist with over two decades of experience in gemstone mining, trading and geological research, Edirisinghe said he developed the microscope using specially imported Japanese optical components after numerous prototype modifications. He has also collaborated with gemological laboratories in Thailand during his research. He said the newly established GRC laboratory aims to raise the standard of gem certification in Sri Lanka by combining advanced microscopy, digital documentation and AI-supported analysis to produce more detailed laboratory reports. Edirisinghe invites gemologists, jewellers, exporters and researchers to evaluate the technology through live demonstrations, saying independent assessment by industry professionals will ultimately determine its value to the sector.
Business First Capital sees 70% chance Central Bank will hold rates on July 21
Published 5 mins agoon 2026/07/20
Sri Lanka’s Central Bank is likely to keep interest rates unchanged at its monetary policy review on July 21, with the effects of its surprise tightening in May still working through the economy, according to First Capital Research. In a pre-policy report released yesterday, the research firm assigned a 70% probability to the Central Bank maintaining the Overnight Policy Rate at 8.75%, while leaving open a 30% chance of a modest 25-basis-point increase if policymakers judge external and inflation risks to have intensified. First Capital argues that the Central Bank’s unexpected 100-basis-point rate hike in May has yet to fully transmit through the economy, noting that monetary policy typically takes several months to produce its full effects. It says another increase at this stage could unnecessarily restrain economic activity before the impact of the previous tightening becomes evident. The report also points to easing inflation pressures following declines in global oil prices and recent domestic reductions in fuel and cooking gas prices. It expects private sector credit growth to moderate under existing monetary conditions, while liquidity in the banking system stabilises naturally without further intervention. Higher market lending rates and already restrictive financial conditions further reduce the case for another immediate increase, it says. However, the research house cautions that policymakers may still opt for a precautionary rate hike if external risks worsen. It identifies renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the possibility of higher global oil prices, softer worker remittance inflows, pressure on foreign reserves and the need to support the Sri Lankan rupee as key factors that could justify further tightening. The report concludes that, on balance, the Central Bank is more likely to pause and assess the effects of its earlier policy action while closely monitoring inflation, exchange rate movements and global developments before deciding whether additional tightening is warranted later in the year. By Sanath Nanayakkare
Business ‘India Calling’ forum set to unlock bilateral trade and investment barriers
Published 5 mins agoon 2026/07/20
In a major push to redefine economic ties between Sri Lanka and India, the Lanka India Business Association (LIBA) has announced the highly anticipated corporate forum, ‘India Calling’. Scheduled for August 6th at the Taj Samudra, Colombo, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, the full-day event is designed to bridge commercial gaps, unpack regulatory friction, and establish a framework for shared cross-border prosperity. LIBA is hosting the forum to actively catalyze deeper private sector integration, moving bilateral talks from policy theory into actionable investment corridors. The event arrives at a critical juncture as Sri Lanka actively recalibrates its macroeconomic framework and eyes stronger integration with the Indian market. The forum boasts an extraordinary lineup of keynote speakers flying in from India to address critical facets of the economic relationship: Montek Singh Ahluwalia: The former Deputy Chairman of India’s Planning Commission and a key architect of India’s 1991 economic reforms, Ahluwalia will discuss India’s massive economic transformation, and the specific structural lessons Sri Lanka can adopt to drive its own recovery. Professor C. Raja Mohan: One of India’s leading foreign policy strategists and academics, Professor Mohan will present on the geopolitical necessity of “shared prosperity” as a sustainable, long-term strategy for regional stability. Devdutt Pattanaik: The renowned mythologist, author, and corporate consultant will offer an unconventional perspective, breaking down the “Monsoon Market Myth” to explain how deep-rooted cultural narratives shape consumer behavior and market dynamics in South Asia.