Sri Lankan pearls has enjoyed a wide international popularity historically but, during the last few decades the pearl culture industry disappeared from the country. 

The coastal area from Chilaw to Silawathura was widely famous for pearl oysters, but due to various climate issues and human activity, growth of Pearl oysters gradually destroyed.    

Thus, Sri Lanka lost Asian market in the pearl industry and the countries like India, China, Bangladesh and Pakistan began to conquer the industry. Today, Pakistan earns the highest income of foreign exchange by pearl exportation which amounts to be 6700 USD annually. India also earns 150 USD annually.

Hence, Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Mahinda Amaraweera has given instructions to NARA to re-initiate pearl culture in marine and inland waters in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, NARA has taken measures to initiate Pearl culture with the use of new technology. Under this new technology, a special type of rope will be used to stock eggs inside the oysters. This project will be implemented as way of providing extra income source to the fisher community.