The news that the largest gem ever found in Sri Lanka was found while digging a well in the Kahawatta area in Ratnapura is now being reported as a script based on untrue facts.
Dharmapriya Liyanarachchi, a journalist with experience in reporting on Ratnapura and Gems, has revealed this in a report to a weekend national newspaper.
Although the gem is said to be the largest gem in Sri Lanka, the Ratnapura gem merchants themselves have described it as a dead stone, raising doubts as to whether the 510 kg gemstone is worth Rs. 20 billion.
However, these allegations can only be ruled out by the Chairman of the National Gem and Jewelery Authority, Thilak Weerasinghe. The letter also hinted that the gem, which was said to be of great value, had been kept in the yard of the Gem Bank Gem Museum in Batugedara for some time.
