Businessman granted bail

Colombo businessman and company director Diresh Hettiarachchi of 912, Maradana Road, Colombo 10, who is charged under Section 403 before the Colombo High Court for cheating a sum of over Rs. 15 million by giving cheques to businessman Thuwan Thihan Doole of Habarawatte, Thalahena, was yesterday granted bail on a sum of Rs. 150,000 cash and a bond of Rs. 5 million each with two sureties by Colombo High Court Judge Bandula Atapattu. Senior Defence Counsel Kalinga Indatissa who appeared for Hettiarachchi submitted a medical report to court.

Perusing the medical reports Judge Atapattu observed that Hettiarachchi had been admitted to a private hospital on March 31 afternoon and was discharged the following day, April 1, the day that the case was called on the last occasion.

Senior Defence Counsel Indatissa said that his client suddenly fell ill and had been admitted to a private hospital on the previous day with a history of chest pains and had undergone several medical tests.

The Court also directed Hettiarachchi to surrender his passport to court and directed the Court Registrar to inform the Immigration and Emigration authorities at the Airport about the court order.

The Judge directed Hettiarachchi to be fingerprinted.

Hettiarachchi was also directed to appear before the CID every Sunday between 9 am and 12 noon.

Earlier, the Attorney General had filed indictment on Diresh Hettiarachchi. The indictment stated that Hettiarachchi had given two cheques to Doole from the Seylan Bank for a sum of Rs. 10,000,000 and for a sum of Rs. 5,582,887.50. Both cheques had been returned due to lack of funds. Later businessman Doole had complained to the CID that two cheques were given by Diresh Hettiarachchi in respect of a land deal and both cheques had bounced.

On the available evidence the Attorney General had filed indictment against Hettiarachchi for cheating Doole for a sum of over Rs. 15 million.

Attorney Hansa Abeyratne watched the interest of the complainant Doole.