Our attention is drawn to the article which appeared in ‘The Island’ of November 23 under the heading "Thugs invade EGM?"

This article refers to the extraordinary general meeting of Sathosa Motors Ltd (SML) which was held at Colombo on November 21. We deny your news report that there were thugs inside the meeting room.

The company decided to deploy a few security officers outside the meeting room to provide security to the shareholders and directors who were attending the EGM as there were threats by some interested parties. If there were thugs present as you reported, we believe they would have been organized by some interested parties and our company categorically denies any knowledge of the same. General Manager, Sathosa Motors Ltd.

Business editor’s note: Our article was based on a communique received from Pinsiri Fernando, a shareholder of SML.