Sri Lanka, Jan. 14 -- Veteran Journalist and defence columnist Iqbal Athas passed away at the age of 81 yesterday morning.

His funeral was held at the Grand Mosque cemetery in Dehiwala, in accordance with Muslim funeral rites yesterday. Athas was internationally recognised for his reporting on defence and security affairs and received several prestigious international awards during his distinguished career. In 1994, he was honoured with the International Press Freedom Award by the Committee to Protect Journalists, in recognition of his courage and steadfast commitment to press freedom in the face of threats and adversity.

In 2000, The New York Times described him as "the country's leading military correspondent," highlighting his statur...