The much-hyped Blue Diamond case, formerly of the failed Ceylinco Group, took another twist when a US lawyer Bruce J Guttmann was convicted and jailed for 15 months by the Magistrate Kumari Abeyratne of the Chief Magistrates Court Colombo.
The lawyer was tried in absentia and is believed to be in the US. This is reportedly the first conviction of a US lawyer in a Sri Lankan court.
Guttman had signed an affidavit containing false statements which was tendered to Court by Blue Diamonds Ltd directors Lalith Kotelawala and Bandula Ranaweera through their lawyers.
A damages claim has been filed in a civil suit against Blue Diamonds Ltd., stemming from the tendering of the affidavit. Though summons was issued on Guttmann in California, USA, he was absconding and a warrant was issued for his arrest by the Magistrate. After hearing the evidence of the complainant Daya Senanayake, former Managing Director of the company, and of the Registrar of the Chief Magistrates Court, and after examining the relevant documents the trial was concluded.
The case against Blue Diamonds Ltd and its directors is continuing in the High Court of Colombo. |
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