Introducing the team behind Island Gem Ventures.
Saliya Liyadipita
Co-founder and Director
A science graduate from the University of Kelaniya, Saliya works as a chemistry teacher. Four years ago, curiosity sparked a new path, and he began teaching himself gemology.
What started as a personal interest quickly evolved into expertise. Today, he travels to the gem markets of Ratnapura and Nivitigala to personally source sapphires, spinels, and chrysoberyl.
Rasika Gayan Gunarathna
Co-founder and Director
Also a science graduate from Kelaniya, Rasika took a different route, building a career as a software engineer that led him abroad. But gemstones were never far from home. Growing up in Nivitigala, one of Sri Lanka's main gem trading hubs, with a father in the gem business, the industry was part of his upbringing. Reconnecting with Saliya after university brought an opportunity to combine their strengths and build something meaningful together.