Sri Lanka, Jan. 13 -- Veteran journalist Iqbal Athas passed away this morning at the age of 81 after a brief illness.

Renowned internationally for his reporting on security and defence matters, Athas gained widespread recognition for his controversial article on the wartime security situation published in the Sunday Times.

The funeral will be held this afternoon at the Muslim Grand Mosque Cemetery in Dehiwala.

His body will lie in state at No. 11C/1, Siriwardena Road, Hill Street, Dehiwala from 9.00 am today.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Daily News Sri Lanka....