ST Political Editor rubbishes Colombo Telegraph article, sends letter of demand to editor

The Sunday Times Political Editor has through his lawyers has a letter of demand to the London-based web portal Colombo Telegraph for carrying several defamatory and malicious articles about him, including a April 22, 2020 report headlined ‘Journalist Iqbal Athas Exposed In ‘Poison-Pen’ Propaganda Operation.’

David Benson Solicitors appearing for Mr. Iqbal Athas have sent the Editor of Colombo Telegraph, Mr. Uvindu Kurukulasuriya a Letter of Demand inter-alia denying the allegations made in the said article, stating that a false screenshot purported to be from Mr. Athas has been published accompanying the said article and for damages caused by intentionally bringing disrepute to his professional standing by the publication thereof.

Athas is Consultant Editor and Political Editor of the Sunday Times said that several malicious reports about him have appeared in this website which is operating without an address or registration under UK laws.

His attorneys, David Benson Solicitors in London, have told Mr Kurukulasuriya that Mr Athas has neither created nor circulated documents or notes and that the article they posted was false. He has said “it has long become the practice of the Colombo Telegraph to publish news articles without an iota of proof insidiously abusing the territory of the United Kingdom to vilify opponents in other countries.”

The British law firm said “our client did not create the purported note and did not circulate it” as claimed by this controversial website. They asserted “there is no documentary or other evidence to suggest proof of the allegation. It added: “The article refers to a “word document screen shot” which is not conclusive evidence.

The screen shot does not suggest what the document is. Our client asserts that he has not created any document/notes, which were referred to in the said article.”  They have claimed Sterling Pounds 30,000 as damages.

Athas’s attorneys have said linking other articles under the latest report is showing “express malice on the part of the Colombo Telegraph and Editor Uvindu Kurukulasuriya.”