It is with profound sadness that I learnt of the passing away of Mr. Naveen Sooriyarachchi, Chairman of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority.
The loss of such a close colleague, who possessed the energy, wisdom, dedication, enthusiasm and determination essential for advancing our nation along a new path of development and rapid transformation at this critical juncture, is an irreplaceable setback for our country.
Mr. Naveen Sooriyarachchi was a distinguished professional in Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery sector. His passing represents an irreplaceable loss to the industry. At a time when our country is grappling with an exceptionally severe economic crisis and facing a significant shortage of skilled professionals due to the emigration of many experts, the value of dedicated professionals like Mr. Sooriyarachchi becomes even more pronounced. Furthermore, it is a profound shock to us that a steadfast comrade, who has long worked alongside us to build a better nation, has departed at a time when the promise of a new dawn is still in its early stages.
Following his appointment as Chairman of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority, Mr. Naveen Sooriyarachchi dedicated himself to turning the objectives of the Hon.President’s and current government’s vision “A Thriving Nation, A Beautiful Life” into tangible results. He took decisive action to rescue Sri Lanka’s gem industry, which, despite its historical international prominence, had fallen into a deplorable state. There is no doubt that this loss, occurring at a critical moment when it was essential to formulate a strategic plan to generate foreign exchange by maximizing the limited resources of a country like ours, and to benefit from the guidance of a strong leader to achieve tangible results, represents an irreplaceable setback for both these industries and the nation.
At this profoundly sorrowful moment, I convey the heartfelt condolences of Hon. President and the entire staff of the Presidential Secretariat to the family, close relatives and friends of Mr. Navin Sooriyarachchi. Finally, I respectfully affirm our commitment to carry forward the vision and dedicated efforts of Mr. Sooriyarachchi in building a prosperous and well-governed nation, ensuring that the highest gratitude and honour due to him are duly expressed through continued action in realizing the goals he so passionately pursued.
