Gem miners in Sri Lanka need to possess the qualities of a fortune seeker as mining is a grueling task with no guarantee of success. Most of the time, miners are guided by the light of a candle when working deep in the earth They may come across a rough blue stone, buried in earth and covered in mud or end up being more bankrupt than when they started out.
Th
e process of mining for gems is begun at an auspicious time with a short religious ritual.
Up to this date, offerings conciliating the gods and astrology are still practiced before initiating mining as it is apparent that mining is dependent on good luck.
Prior to the commencement of mining, miner observe traditional customs by lighting an oil lamp placed inside a decoration of tender coconut leaves, erected beside the mine side.
Buddhism, the religion of the majority of people in Sri Lanka, is given a place of preference in the national constitution and public life, although Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity are also practiced by significant portions of the population.
Except in the case of Christians, who are drawn from a variety of ethnic groups, these religious traditions map directly onto the three major ethnic groups: Sinhala/Buddhist, Tamil/Hindu, and Muslims.
Among the participants in both of these religions, there is also a belief in a broad pantheon of gods, spirits, and demons, into which many local deities have been absorbed.
The time and date for the commencement of work is usually obtained from an astrologer. Many religious ceremonies are observed, some varying in different parts of the country because of it being dedicated to the patron deity of the region.
In Ratnapura, a location abundant with gems, offerings are presented to the deity Saman. Offerings are also presented to Bahiravaya, the guardian angel or sprit responsible for the treasures buried under the earth. Among Sinhalese this offering is called bahirava pooja.
Sri Lanka Gem Buying Guide 