Montblanc launches explorer extreme in Sri Lanka through Exclusive Lines
Montblanc launches explorer extreme in Sri Lanka through Exclusive LinesBusinessInternationally renowned luxury Maison Montblanc has introduced its latest fragrance, Montblanc Explorer Extreme, to the Sri Lankan market through Exclusive Lines, the sole authorised agent for the brand in the country. From L - R - Ravin Hiru Surtani, President, Head of Fragrances - Exclusive Lines;Hiru Surtani, Managing Director - Exclusive Lines & Apsara Hiru Surtani,President, Head of Beauty - Exclusive LinesMontblanc Explorer Extreme represents a significant evolution of the Explorer franchise and is the first Parfum concentration within the collection. “Montblanc Explorer Extreme Parfum stands for courage, ambition and the determination to surpass boundaries, values that strongly resonate with us at Exclusive Lines. The bottle design draws inspiration from the Montblanc Extreme 3.0 Collection, echoing its distinctive textured motif associated with modern travel and dynamism. Montblanc Explorer Extreme joins Montblanc Explorer and Montblanc Explorer Platinum in the line-up and is now available exclusively in Sri Lanka through Exclusive Lines outlets and authorised retail partners nationwide.
Source:Sunday Times
March 10, 2026 05:26 UTC
Fuel prices increased with effect from midnight
Fuel prices increased with effect from midnightNewsFuel prices will be increased from midnight today, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) announced. Accordingly Auto Diesel will be increased by Rs.22 to Rs.303 while Super Diesel by Rs.24 to Rs.353. Petrol Octane 92 will be increased by Rs.24 to Rs.317 and Octane 95 by Rs.25 to 365. The CPC said Kerosene will be increased by Rs.13 to Rs.195. You can share this post!
Source:Sunday Times
March 09, 2026 17:48 UTC
Treasury denies Bribery Commission officials pay hikes
Treasury denies Bribery Commission officials pay hikesNewsThe Treasury has left out a salary increase for the three Commissioners and the Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), despite the Parliament’s Committee on Public Finance recommending salary hikes for the last two years. With Parliament set to debate a resolution over cadre and salary structures of the Commission on March 17, the recommendations were left out for a third time by the Department of Management Services under the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development. Read more in today's Sunday Times edition hereYou can share this post!
Source:Sunday Times
March 08, 2026 20:20 UTC
Update - US: Fate of Iranian vessel and crew is Sri Lanka’s call - State Department responds to the Sunday Times
Update - US: Fate of Iranian vessel and crew is Sri Lanka’s call - State Department responds to the Sunday TimesNewsBy Tharushi WeerasingheThe United States has told Sri Lanka that the disposition of the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Bushehr and its crew is a matter for Colombo to resolve under its own laws and international obligations, while signalling it is in active talks with Sri Lanka to contain Iran's threat to US interests. The State Department responded earlier this morning to questions submitted by The Sunday Times, on Friday, which asked whether Washington had provided any approval, consultation, or guidance to Colombo on allowing a second Iranian vessel into Sri Lankan waters, and whether the US Embassy had formally briefed the Sri Lankan government following a reported attack. “The United States, of course, respects and recognizes Sri Lanka’s sovereignty in the handling of this situation. The ultimate disposition of the IRIS Bushehr and its crew, as well as the Iranian sailors rescued at sea, is a decision for Sri Lanka to make pursuant to its domestic law and international legal obligations.”The spokesperson added: “We are pursuing dialogue with Sri Lanka, and our utmost goal is to mitigate the threat that Iran poses to the United States and our partners.”The response did not address whether the Embassy had notified or briefed Sri Lankan authorities after the reported attack, or whether any communications clarified the nature of the military operations involved. You can share this post!
Source:Sunday Times
March 08, 2026 20:20 UTC
Global shipping line unloads at Sri Lanka ports, concerns of congestion
Global shipping line unloads at Sri Lanka ports, concerns of congestion View(s):The global shipping line MSC will unload 6,500 containers meant for West Asia at the Hambantota Port, as there is currently no clearance for passage to the Gulf, shipping sources said. Meanwhile, pressure is likely to grow on Sri Lanka’s existing stocks of bunker fuel for ships, as demand for global supplies skyrockets. While ship traffic to Sri Lanka’s ports has not increased, there have been inquiries about whether shipping lines can offload their Gulf-bound cargo here. At a meeting with shipping lines this week, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) was informed that bookings are no longer being accepted to West Asia. “As a result, such cargo will stay longer in our ports, using our space,” the sources said.
Source:Sunday Times
March 08, 2026 16:21 UTC
The Numbers Game in the Geopolitics of Destruction
The Numbers Game in the Geopolitics of DestructionOpinionProf Janek RatnatungaGeopolitics provides a framework for understanding the complex international relations shaped by geographical factors, especially as the global rules-based order becomes increasingly fractured. Geopolitics, at first glance, appears to be a world removed from the’ numbers world’ of Accountants, especially management accountants. Lessons from HistoryThere are historical parallels with World War II, emphasizing the need for rapid military build-up in contemporary conflicts. When World War II broke out in Europe in 1939, Germany had 2400 tanks. Despite expanding its own missile production capabilities, Ukraine remains dependent on U.S. interceptors, which are also in demand for conflicts like the one in Iran.
Source:Sunday Times
March 08, 2026 14:19 UTC
War spills over to jobs in Gulf states
War spills over to jobs in Gulf states View(s):By Sajeniya SathanandanThe Association of Licensed Foreign Employment Agencies (ALFEA) firmly believes that instability in West Asia will cause job losses, but the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) is optimistic and says there will be no loss of jobs although departures of workers are being delayed. ALFEA Secretary M F M Arshad told the Sunday Times that “roughly 80% to 90% of Sri Lanka’s annual foreign recruitment is focused on West Asia. Employers in West Asia have explicitly requested that recruiters not deploy selected candidates at this time,” Mr Arshad said. Employers in West Asia have become extremely cautious and uncertain about the future, which is challenging long-term recruitment prospects. Mr Wickremasinghe told the Sunday Times that there is no immediate risk for foreign employment and recruitment has not stopped.
Source:Sunday Times
March 08, 2026 11:43 UTC
Judge named to hear Energy Minister’s corruption case
Judge named to hear Energy Minister’s corruption case View(s):By Ranjith PadmasiriColombo High Court Judge Rashantha Godawela has been assigned to hear the corruption case against Energy Minister Punya Sri Kumara Jayakody. The case, the first against a ruling JVP-NPP minister, is due to come up for hearing next week. Minister Jayakody is charged in the indictment with committing the offence of corruption by unlawfully facilitating D.S. Construction and Earth Movers Ltd to obtain undue financial profits. The prosecution has listed 21 witnesses to be called and 29 court products to be presented in the indictment filed against the minister.
Source:Sunday Times
March 08, 2026 10:28 UTC
SL could become a strategic alternative hub in the East
SL could become a strategic alternative hub in the East By Raj Moorthy View(s): View(s):While the ongoing conflicts in the gulf and Middle-East, particularly the US/Israel-Iran war, are significantly affecting global shipping routes and bunker costs, shipping companies are forced to take increases coinciding with the situation. On a positive note, it is beneficial for carriers, as rates were plunging due to oversupply of demand until recent times. A positive regional development is the potential for Sri Lanka to become a strategic alternative hub, leveraging infrastructure improvements, says Nilud Fernando, a professional in international shipping and logistics. He told the Sunday Times Business: “The current shipping crisis is significantly accelerating demand for ad-hoc vessel calls as carriers reroute cargo around the Cape of Good Hope. Recently, several major carriers have reached out to the Port of Colombo to secure terminal slots.
Source:Sunday Times
March 08, 2026 10:09 UTC
Hundu measures
Hundu measures View(s):My dear Anura sahodaraya,You must be very busy these days after suddenly becoming a leader on the world stage overnight and rather unexpectedly, but I thought I must still write to you. You ought to thank Donald for that, if not publicly at least privately. He is the reason why many are asking ‘Anura who?’ and ‘Sri where?’This is because Donald decided to attack an Iranian ship off our coast and destroy it. This is why you must thank Donald, Anura sahodaraya. Don’t have high hopes Anura sahodaraya, you can deal with Donald and Iran, save lives and make peace but cleaning our cricket is a bigger challenge than that!
Source:Sunday Times
March 08, 2026 07:52 UTC
Rescued Iranians to get 30-day visas
Rescued Iranians to get 30-day visas View(s):The 230 Iranian Navy personnel rescued by the Sri Lanka Navy from two distressed ships in Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone will be issued 30-day visas, a Public Security Ministry official said. The group includes 32 Iranian Navy personnel rescued after their ship–IRIS Dena–was sunk by a US submarine and 208 on board the second Iranian ship–IRIS Busher–that was evacuated by Lankan authorities. He said that in addition to the visas, the group would be provided accommodation and security. Meanwhile, tourists who are stranded in Sri Lanka due to the cancellation of flights and airport closures following the outbreak of the war will be granted an additional two-week gratis visa, the official said. Share This Post FacebookTwitterEmail × Send Email to FriendSend Please enter valid email WhatsappDeliciousDiggGoogleStumbleuponRedditTechnoratiYahooBloggerMyspaceRSS
Source:Sunday Times
March 08, 2026 07:18 UTC
Close eye on possible pollution from sunken Iranian warship
Close eye on possible pollution from sunken Iranian warship View(s):By Kasun WarakapitiyaPolice in Hikkaduwa and Meetiyagoda yesterday recovered fuel barrels and other items suspected to be from the Iranian war ship sunk off the south coast. Hikkaduwa police said they suspect the barrel was from the sunken Iranian ship. Jayasinghe said that the sunken ship contained bunk fuel, which could evaporate quickly in a short time. Mr Jayasinghe said that though they had not been informed of any environmental impact, they are awaiting a directive from MEPA, which is making an assessment. Compensation could be sought from Iran if the sunken ship causes any impact to the environment.
Source:Sunday Times
March 08, 2026 07:18 UTC
Murali magic steers Jaffna Central to victory
Murali magic steers Jaffna Central to victory By M. Shamil Amit Big match 2026 View(s): View(s):Following his match-bag of 12 wickets earlier, a spirited and match-winning knock by all-rounder Murali Thison helped Jaffna Central College make a fine comeback to record a 3-wicket win over traditional rivals St. John’s College, Jaffna in the 119th Battle of North big match concluded at the Jaffna Central ground yesterday. But an unbeaten knock of 81 off 126 balls, inclusive of eight boundaries and a six, changed the entire course of the game, and gave Jaffna Central a glim of hope. This was the 30th win of the series for Jaffna Central, who won last in 2023, but St. John’s still lead the series with 40 wins. The two sides will play their 23rd limited over encounter on March 14 at the St. John’s ground, where the Johnians lead the series with 12 wins to the 10 by Centralites. Jaffna Central won the previous two matches and will be aiming their third consecutive win.
Source:Sunday Times
March 08, 2026 07:17 UTC
Tourism expects 20% drop in arrivals
Tourism expects 20% drop in arrivals By Sunimalee Dias View(s): View(s):Sri Lankan tourism authorities and the industry have made efforts to assist travellers in the country amidst the West Asia crisis as the destination believes going forward there could be an immediate 20 per cent drop in arrivals. The war is expected to immediately witness a 20 per cent drop in arrivals as numbers plunged from around 8500 to 6000 per day, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam told the Sunday Times Business. At the time of the war broke out a majority of tourists were from India, Europe, the Far East and other countries. Travellers arriving without travel insurance have been asked to be in touch with the authorities for necessary assistance, the chairman noted. Deputy Tourism Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe has asked hotels to help stranded tourists by ensuring that they are provided food and accommodation.
Source:Sunday Times
March 08, 2026 07:17 UTC
Lanka’s oil supplies hang in the balance
Lanka’s oil supplies hang in the balance View(s):Sri Lanka is currently in discussion with its key oil suppliers and governments in a bid to ensure the stability of supplies from April onwards. Colombo has the capability of storing fuel adequate for just a month, he said adding that at the moment authorities are in discussion with the 14 oil suppliers to the country. “We are working on that we don’t know the future,” Mr. Rajakaruna said. He noted that the non availability of vessels to obtain future stocks was the main concern at present. Considering the volatile situation in the Gulf region, with the war breaking out between US –Israel and Iran, Mr. Rajakaruna said they are still planning on their future supplies and noted that they are not yet ready in securing their supplies.
Source:Sunday Times
March 08, 2026 07:16 UTC