COLOMBO, Jan. 13 -- Veteran Sri Lankan journalist and pioneering defence analyst Iqbal Athas passed away Tuesday (13) at the age of 81, drawing tributes from across the media fraternity for a career defined by fearless reporting, international credibility, and an unwavering commitment to public accountability.

Widely regarded as Sri Lanka's foremost defence columnist, Athas was best known for his long-running defence column in the Sunday Times, where his reporting and analysis set the benchmark for military and security journalism in the country. Beyond Sri Lanka, his expertise was sought by leading international media outlets, and he was a regular contributor to Jane's Defence Weekly, CNN, and The Times of London, earning him a reputati...