Dilantha Malagamuwa released from alleged fraud case

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda

The Colombo High Court yesterday ordered to release three accused including popular Sri Lankan racing driver Dilantha Malagamuwa in connection with an indictment filed against them for allegedly defrauding a Japanese national to the tune of US$ 600,000 in 2008.

High Court Judge Namal Balalle ordered to release three accused from the case taking into account the failure of the Japanese national to attend court for the last seven years.

The Attorney General had filed indictments in the Colombo High Court with four charges against racing driver Dilantha Malagamuwa, Gnanadeepan Sivajothi and Vijitha Bandara Ranaraja for defrauding a Japanese national to the tune of US$ 600,000 for constructing a luxury apartment complex.

The Attorney General alleged that the three accused had committed this offence between February 1, 2008 and March 3, 2008 and have deceived Yoshuki Hayashi into giving them US$ 600,000 by promising him a return of US$ 840,000 on investment. 

Senior Counsel Jeewantha Jayatillake appearing for the defence made a request to release the accused from the case since main witness Yoshuki Hayashi has failed to attend court to give evidence as a prosecution 
witness for the last seven years.