Apology to Mr. Asoka N. Pathirana

The Sunday Observer hereby tender an apology to Mr. Asoka N. Pathirana for the pain of mind caused to him consequent upon the publication of the article under the headline "Mr. Hilton to be ruled out?" in the Straight Talk column in the Sunday Observer of September 25, 2005.

Mr. Pathirana states that the allegations attributed expressly or impliedly in the said news item to him are incorrect and without any basis. Therefore the Sunday Observer hereby withdraws the allegations contained in the said news item.