Veteran journalist Iqbal Athas of the Sunday Times passes away

The Political Editor of the  Sunday Times and former Defence Correspondent Iqbal Athas passed away this morning, his family said. He was 81. 

As a Defence and Political Analyst with the career spanning nearly six decades, Mr Athas covered extensively on country's turning events in its recent history from 1971 insurrection by then Peoples Liberation front (JVP) till Tamil separatist war that came to an end in 2009. 

His weekly insightful 'Situation Report" in the Sunday Times was well received by readers and analysts for decades informing the public on the developments on the war front. 

After 2009, he took over as the Political Editor of the weekend newspaper, reporting on the political developments that shaped the history of the country in the post- war period. 

Mr Athas was a longtime Colombo correspondent for US based CNN television and regular contributor for Jane's Defence Weekly. 

He was among a CNN team that has won the Alfred I. Dupont – Columbia University awards for the coverage of the tsunami disaster in South Asia 2004 – 2005. 

In 1998, he was named as Journalist of the Year 1998  for his reporting on the armed conflict which, according to the judges "has irritated a few, provoked some to use physical violence against him and yet helped readers to understand the direction of the government's battle with Tamil rebels. Despite threats and intimidation, he has continued to expose corruption, mismanagement and mishandling in the defence establishment."

His remains lie at No 11C/1, Siriwardena road (Hill street), Dehiwala. Burial will be at Dehiwela grand Jummah Masjid later today, the family said.