Albino turtle stolen: Amal Perera to be questioned - UPDATES

Amal Perera goes ten times to buy white turtle

 Avoids coming to police saying "I have a wedding" when the whole country is awaiting his arrival

Mr. K. Chandrasiri Abrew, owner of Kosgoda Turtle Research Centre said that singer Amal Perera had come to met him about ten times and on his last visit he had been accompanied by a Maldivian national and 4 others on which occasion he had forcibly demanded the turtle. He had said so at a media discussion held at the Ministry of Wild Life, Battaramulla where the Minister of Wild Life Conservation, Mr. Vijith Vijithamuni Soysa too was present.  

He also said that he received over hundred telephone calls from individuals asking for this white turtle and for purposes of protecting the turtle on one occasion he had explained this problematic situation to the Minister and was even prepared to hand over the turtle to the Minister.

Explaining matters further he said that the weight of this missing white turtle whose value was beyond measure and was 10 kgs in weight. Its age was just 5 years. Police say that popular singer Mr. Amal Perera if does not present himself to be interrogated in connection with the disappearance of the turtle which was a rare specimen at the Kosgoda Turtle Conservation Centre today (Dec 19), action will have to be take against him.

Though he was called to Kosgoda police last morning (Dec 18) at 9.oo in the morning, he had informed the Kosgoda OIC that he would not be able to be present.The reason as quoted by him is that he had to attend a wedding ceremony. Whatever it is, police say that he had said that he would be present today.

What police spokesman, Senior Superintendent of Police Mr. Ajith Rohana had said that if he is not present today, legal action would be taken.

On confronting Mr. Lal Udugamage, Inspector of Police at Kosgoda this morning at about 10, this is what he had to say:
                                                             "Amal Perera promised me to come today. Owner of the Turtle Research Centre, Mr. Chandrasiri Abrew told that me that Amal Perera too had come to buy this turtle which has been stolen. So, we told Amal Perera to come to the police and give a statement. He said that he is not able to come today as he had to attend a wedding ceremony at Galadari Hotel. Today he won't come for sure. Tomorrow (Dec 19) he will come. If he's a suspect in this case, I'll bring him from wherever he'sin the country. The police OIC further said that if he avoids coming to police, he'll be under suspicion for this theft by everybody in the country. The Minister said that if necessary, assistance of the Interpol also will be solicited to find this turtle.

Gayan Gallage / Sapumal Jayasena / Kamal Shri Liyanage