Dilantha Malagamuwa was released from the fraud case.

The Colombo High Court today ordered the release of 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 $600,000 in 2008.

High Court Judge Namal Balalle ordered to release three accused from the case, taking into account the failure of a 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 $600,000 for constructing a luxury apartment complex.

According to the Attorney General, the three accused committed this offence between February 1, 2008, and March 3, 2008, and defrauded Yoshuki Hayashi out of US$ 600,000 by promising him an investment return of US$ 840,000.

Senior Counsel Jeewantha Jayatillake, appearing for the defense, 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.