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.

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the preparation of a revised State Asset Management Bill, suspending further action on the original legislation gazetted in August 2024.

The decision follows a review by a committee of government officials and subject experts, which identified amendments to the original draft and prepared a preliminary version incorporating the proposed changes.

The Cabinet approved a proposal submitted by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as Minister of Finance, to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a new Bill based on the Committee’s recommendations.

Approval had initially been granted on July 22, 2024, to publish the State Asset Management Bill in the Government Gazette and subsequently submit it to Parliament for approval.

However, the legislation could not be passed following the dissolution of Parliament in October 2024.

In the aftermath, a committee, comprising government officials and subject experts, was appointed to review the proposed legislation and identify the changes required.

The Cabinet has now agreed to suspend further proceedings on the Bill published in the Extraordinary Gazette of August 2, 2024, and proceed with a revised version incorporating the committee’s recommendations.

Colombo High Court Judge Buddhika C. Ragala, on Thursday (08) October, enlarged on bail Jiffry Mohamed, accused in a money laundering case, having considered the submissions made on behalf of the accused and the submissions of the Counsel for the State.

The accused was released on cash bail in a sum of Rs 25,000, with two sureties in a sum of Rs 1,000,000/= each. Counsel for the accused Priyantha Nawana PC, appearing with Shafi Hussain, Dinali Siva, instructed by Asanka Perera submitted that this matter is coming for order following submissions for bail made by senior Counsel M. M. Zuhair PC on the previous date.

Counsel Nawana submitted that Court had the power to grant bail under section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act read with the Bail Act. The accused, it was submitted, has no previous conviction for commission of any offence whatsoever.

State Counsel Oswald Perera objecting to bail submitted that investigations are ongoing with regard to this accused and enlarging him on bail at this stage could affect the investigations. The Court held that indictment has been filed on the basis that investigations into this case have been concluded and made order enlarging the accused on cash bail with two sureties in the High Court case.

The indictment filed in this case alleges that the accused had committed offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act of ‘unlawful activity’ namely offences including ‘trafficking in drugs’ in violation of the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Act. Written Submissions filed on behalf of the accused in the connected case in the Negombo Magistrate’s Court has stated that there is no evidence or allegation before Court that the accused had trafficked and/or possessed any quantity of any drug at any time and that he is a trusted businessman maintaining a good record within the business community, handling large volume of advance payments in rupees for importers of goods from overseas exporters and that he himself is not an importer.

Following a further report filed by the Negombo Headquarters Police that there is no new material disclosed against the suspect, the Negombo Magistrate had on 15th September 2026 discharged Jiffry Mohamed from further proceedings in the alleged drug case.