INTERNATIONAL: The Sri Lanka National Gem and Jewellery Authority on Sunday awarded certificates to one of the gem pit partners in recognising the size and weight of a large corundum sapphire pebble. The large gem was found three months ago but was unveiled to the public only on Sunday in Horana at the home of one of the partners of the gem pit. The natural corundum blue sapphire is said to be the largest ever recorded in the world, weighing in at 310 kilogrammes.

Gem expert, Palitha Gunesekera says, “I think this may be the world's largest corundum pebble. It was found in locality of Balangoda, inside a gem pit. So, there is a good value because of this size. The weight of this stone is 310 kilogrammes. So, sometimes inside there could be Gouda-blue colour. So, it is valuable."

Almost 90 percent of all corundum stones found in the world are from Sri Lanka famed for centuries for its unique gemstones. The pebble has been named "Queen of Asia". Previously there was a large star sapphire cluster found in Ratnapura weighing over 500 kilogrammes.