Find if Vijithamuni is behind missing white turtle - president

 Monday, 23 December 2013 

The president has ordered the IGP to immediately inquire into whether deputy Vijithamuni Soyza was behind the theft of a valuable white turtle from the Kosgoda turtle centre. He is intending to make maximum use of the opportunity thus opened up against the wildlife minister, with whom the Rajapaksas are having a very deep grudge. 

A key supporter of former Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed had offered Rs. 35 million for this white turtle as Maldivians believe that a white turtle with a spell on its back will bring very destructive results if released into the sea. However, it disappeared as the deal was about to be finalised through singer Amal Perera, a very close friend of the white turtle’s owner.

The white turtle went missing on December 15 or thereabouts, soon after the presidential polls in the Maldives.

In an indication of his connection to the incident, minister Vijithamuni Soyza held a media briefing at his ministry and alleged Amal Perera was behind it, claiming that the singer had brought Rs. 20 million and met him several times with the intention of buying the valuable animal.

An employee of the turtle centre told us that it was very difficult to steal the white turtle, as there were advanced surveillance systems and three carnivorous dogs protecting it.

Also, catching a turtle needs special training, or else an untrained person can have his fingers bitten and severely damaged, he said.

Therefore, the white turtle had disappeared with the knowledge of the owner of the place, said the employee.

The president too, had suspected the minister and the turtle’s owner were behind the incident and ordered the police chief to give him an immediate report.

His sole intention is to silence Vijithamuni Soyza, a headache for the Rajapaksas in Uva province.