National Gem Authority Protects Mr Punsiri Tennekoon, A Responsible Member

The National Gem and Jewellery Authority has intervened to protect one of its honest and highly regarded members Mr Punsiri Tennekoon.

To                   : Mr. Ted Themelis, Author of ‘The Heat Treatment of ruby & Sapphire’ – 02nd Edition

From              : Ajith Perera, Deputy Director General, National Gem & Jewellery Authority.

Subject          : Distortion of facts with regard to Mr. Punsiri Tennekoon; a Gem Dealer and Exporter Licenced by
Sri Lanka National Gem &  Jewellery Authority (NGJA)

Dear Sir,

We have been notified by Mr. Punsiri Tennakoon of Punsiri Gems, Ratnapura, Sri Lanka  that; the above publication authored by you carries a factualy incorrect statement on page 19 which indicates “By 2003, the Beryllium Treatment was extended to include blue sapphire, first practiced by Punsiri Tennakoon in Ratnapura”

Mr. Tennakoon, categorically denies that he has never practiced or in the process of practicing or intend to practice beryllium treatment, on gemstones. Being the Government regulatory body on the Gem and Jewellery industry in Sri Lanka; the National Gem & Jewellery Authority is pleased to vouch for the integrity of Mr. Punsiri Tennakoon as a responsible member of the export community in Sri Lanka, who has won World acclaim as an expert on colour enhancement of Blue Sapphires using heat.

Therefore we shall be thankful of immediate action is taken to rectify this mistake and issue a statement for which we shall give publicity through our website.

As a responsible member of the World Gem Community, I am sure you will consider this as a matter of utmost importance and urgency and issue the above statement which would minimize the damage caused on Mr. Punsiri Tennakoon in particular and Sri Lanka in general.

Thank You
Yours Faithfully;

Ajith Perera.
Deputy Director General,
National Gem & Jewellery Authority.

Letter from Mr Ted Themelis to  the National Gem Authority

From:         “TED” ted@themelis.com
To:             “National Gem & Jewellery Authority” gemautho@sltnet.lk
Sent:          Wednesday, August 18, 2010 8.11 AM
Subject:     RE: Distortion of facts with regard to Mr.Punsiri Tennekoon; a Gem Dealer and Exporter
Licenced by Sri Lanka National Gem & Jewellery Authority (NGJA)

Dear Mr. Perera,
Early August I have advised Mr. Tennakoon on the error mentioning his name in my book and appropriate errata has been amended to the stock copies to correct the matter.
This errata will be also be uploaded in my website (www.themelis.com) as soon as I will return from my overseas trip to Bangkok, that is on/before September 2.
I can assure that there was no malicious intention to harm Mr.Tennakoon in any way. It was just a error.
Ted Themelis

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. By browsing this website, you agree to our use of cookies.