How are gemstones mined in Sri Lanka?

Gemstones in Sri Lanka are mainly obtained with an older, low-impact pit mining style, where diggers make thin, reinforced vertical boreholes into ancient river channels, trying to reach gem-bearing gravel called illam, in local terms.

After the illam is pulled out, it gets rinsed using shallow cone-like wicker baskets, so the heavier stones fall through while ordinary rocks, clay and mud stay behind. Sri Lanka keeps mining under strict oversight and in many areas it really forbids heavy mechanised work to limit environmental harm, while also supporting durable ecological balance and protecting local livelihoods.