Former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa was further remanded until October 16 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama yesterday (13).

The order was issued when the case against Rajapaksa, who was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over alleged financial irregularities involving the ‘Siriliya Saviya’ account, was taken up before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.

Earlier in the day, the court directed prison officials to immediately verify claims that Rajapaksa was undergoing open-heart surgery at the Colombo National Hospital.

President’s Counsel Anil Silva, appearing for Rajapaksa, told the court that she had suffered a sudden heart attack while in prison on Monday (12) and had subsequently been admitted to the hospital’s cardiac surgery unit.

He further informed the court that she was undergoing open-heart surgery when the case was taken up.

However, Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, appearing for the prosecution, said that although Rajapaksa had been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital, prison authorities had not received confirmation that she was undergoing surgery.

Following the conflicting submissions, the Chief Magistrate instructed prison officials to ascertain her medical condition and report to court immediately.

The Magistrate observed that the report submitted by prison authorities merely confirmed that Rajapaksa had been admitted to Ward 61 of the Colombo National Hospital, without providing details of her condition or any surgical procedure.

Rajapaksa was not produced before court yesterday.

The case was subsequently postponed until 2 p.m. yesterday pending the submission of a report by prison authorities verifying her medical condition and the claims regarding surgery.

Blocks 1 and 2 of Yala National Park, which were closed due to severe dry weather, will reopen to tourists on October 16.

The two blocks were closed on September 14 to ensure the safety of wildlife and allow repairs to the park’s road network amid prevailing dry conditions.

Reservations for tourist lodges and campsites in the park will be available from November 1, following the reopening, officials said.

Lankan fashion designer Natharlea Yahampath has unveiled a detachable sapphire collar at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2026, drawing inspiration from the rainbow-like colours created when sunlight passes through a water droplet on a butterfly’s wing.

The statement piece features a trillion-cut Padparadscha sapphire surrounded by sapphires in a range of colours, reflecting the designer’s interpretation of Sri Lanka’s rich gemstone heritage.

Yahampath has translated the fleeting interplay of light and colour into a jewellery-inspired fashion accessory, with the central Padparadscha sapphire providing the focal point of the design. The gemstone, known for its distinctive pink-orange hues, is complemented by the surrounding coloured stones.

The collar forms part of a collection that brings together gemstones and traditional craft techniques, including handloom textiles, hand-knitted garments and hand-crocheted details. Blue, pink and yellow sapphires feature prominently in the designs, alongside stones described as Padparadscha sapphires.

Handcrafted production is central to Yahampath’s label, with a team of women working on hand-knitted pieces for the collection. The designer combines these textile techniques with gemstone embellishment, creating a dialogue between fashion, jewellery and artisanal craftsmanship.

Yahampath has identified collaboration with local craftspeople, sustainability and ethical fashion as key elements of her design philosophy, placing handmade production at the heart of her work.

A graduate of the Academy of Design, where she studied fashion design and textiles, Yahampath has showcased her work at several local and international fashion events. Her portfolio includes Kraków Fashion Week in Poland in 2022, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka, Colombo Fashion Week and an exhibition in London.

The detachable sapphire collar stands out as a defining piece of the latest collection, transforming a nature-inspired play of light and colour into a wearable design while highlighting the craftsmanship and gemstone traditions associated with Sri Lanka.