ri Lanka has a sparkling connection to what has been termed as the royal marriage of the century — the oval blue sapphire ring that Prince William gave to Kate Middleton is from here. The sapphire was originally sourced from one among the several gem mines in the rather appropriately named Ratnapura district of the country.

It was the same ring given by William’s father, Prince Charles during his engagement to Lady Diana in 1981. "The blue sapphire's been the number one gem in popularity for so many years. The Sri Lankan sapphire is known for both its colour and lustre," Ajith Perera from the National Gem and Jewellery Authority said. It said there's been a long tradition of Sri Lankan gems being sought out for the jewellery of royalty in the world.

"The St Edward's Sapphire which is set in a Maltese cross at the top of the Imperial Crown of State now worn by the Queen of England, Elizabeth II, also comes from Sri Lanka," the Presidential Secretariat said in a statement about the engagement ring.