-By An Investigative Journalist
(Lanka-e-News -21.Jan.2025, 9.45 PM) Wasim Thajudeen, a beloved rugby player, met a horrific death in May 2012, leaving behind a trail of questions that remain unanswered. Initially dismissed as a car accident, evidence eventually pointed to a far more sinister narrative: murder. Now, over a decade later, investigators are turning their focus to an unlikely but crucial witness in the case—a Defender Range Rover.
This vehicle, equipped with a tracking device capable of detailing its movements, could provide irrefutable forensic evidence about its journey on that fateful night. As speculation swirls around its ties to the Rajapaksa family, the data locked within its tracking system could unlock the truth about Thajudeen’s final hours.
This isn’t just any luxury SUV. The Defender Range Rover in question was reportedly donated by the International Red Cross to the Ministry of Social Welfare in Sri Lanka. From there, it found its way into the hands of Shirani Rajapaksa, the wife of then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa, sparking controversy over the vehicle's use.
In a photograph that has since gone viral, Shiranthi is seen posing proudly with the Defender—a visual link that has now become a focal point in the investigation. The question looms: How did a vehicle meant for humanitarian purposes allegedly become a key instrument in the stalking and murder of Thajudeen?
Modern vehicles like the Defender Range Rover are equipped with advanced GPS tracking systems that record detailed data about their journeys, including routes, stops, and timestamps. Investigators suspect that the Defender was used to tail Thajudeen’s vehicle, ultimately leading to the location where his charred body was discovered in a burnt-out car.
1. Departure from Temple Trees: According to initial findings, the Defender began its journey that night from Temple Trees, the official residence of the President at the time.
2. Following Thajudeen’s Vehicle: The Defender trailed Thajudeen along High-Level Road, maintaining a steady distance.
3. Stopping at the Crime Scene: GPS data allegedly shows the Defender stopping near the location where Thajudeen’s burnt car was found.
4. A Suspicious Halt: The tracking device indicates the Defender remained at the scene for approximately 45 minutes before departing—a detail that raises serious questions about its occupants' involvement.
The tracking data from the Defender’s GPS system could serve as a smoking gun in the investigation. Here’s what the device can reveal:
Precise Locations: The tracking device logs exact GPS coordinates, confirming whether the Defender was at the scene of the crime.
Timing and Duration: Timestamped data can establish how long the vehicle was stationary at key points along its route.
Patterns of Movement: Sudden stops, erratic driving, or detours can provide insight into the behavior of the vehicle’s occupants.
This data, stored in archives maintained by the vehicle manufacturer, Land Rover, could offer investigators a reliable and untampered record of the Defender’s journey on the night of Thajudeen’s death.
While the GPS data can confirm the vehicle's movements, identifying its occupants requires additional investigation. Witness accounts and circumstantial evidence suggest the presence of individuals closely associated with the Rajapaksa family, particularly Yoshitha Rajapaksa, Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son, who has been repeatedly implicated in the case.
The Defender’s movements that night, paired with testimonies and other forensic evidence, could establish a direct link between its occupants and the crime.
Thajudeen’s death has been marred by allegations of a cover-up orchestrated at the highest levels of power. Initially ruled a car accident, the case was later reclassified as a murder after forensic evidence revealed signs of torture. However, the investigation was riddled with obstruction, from missing CCTV footage to fabricated reports.
The Defender’s tracking data could pierce through this web of deceit. Unlike local records, which may have been tampered with, the GPS data archived in the UK by Land Rover is far more difficult to alter or destroy.
Shiranthi Rajapaksa’s documented connection to the Defender raises serious questions about its usage. As the vehicle’s custodian, what did she know about its movements on the night of Thajudeen’s death?
Her photograph with the Defender, once a symbol of political privilege, now serves as a stark reminder of the family’s potential complicity. Investigators must determine whether Shiranthi was aware of the vehicle’s involvement in the crime or if it was used without her knowledge.
Yoshitha Rajapaksa has long been accused of orchestrating Thajudeen’s murder, with motives ranging from personal rivalry to political vendetta. The tracking data from the Defender could solidify his role in the crime.
If the vehicle’s movements align with the timeline of Thajudeen’s death, and if it is proven that Yoshitha or his associates were in the Defender, it would provide prosecutors with a powerful case against him.
The Defender’s tracking data is more than just evidence—it’s a silent witness to a crime that has haunted Sri Lanka for over a decade. Its implications are far-reaching:
1. For the Rajapaksa Family: The data could lead to criminal charges against Shirani, Yoshitha, and other family members, unraveling their legacy of impunity.
2. For Sri Lanka’s Justice System: A successful prosecution would signal a turning point in the country’s fight against corruption and abuse of power.
3. For International Justice: If local authorities fail to act, the data could be used in international courts, further tarnishing Sri Lanka’s global reputation.
Steps for Investigators
1. Retrieve GPS Data: Collaborate with Land Rover to obtain archived tracking data from the Defender’s GPS system.
2. Analyze Forensic Evidence: Examine the Defender for DNA, fingerprints, and other traces that could identify its occupants.
3. Interrogate Key Figures: Question Shirani, Yoshitha, and anyone else who had access to the vehicle.
4. Revisit the Crime Scene: Use the tracking data to reconstruct the events leading to Thajudeen’s death.
Public outrage and international scrutiny are crucial to ensuring a transparent investigation. Human rights organizations and foreign governments must continue to demand accountability.
For years, the truth about Wasim Thajudeen’s murder has been buried beneath layers of lies, cover-ups, and political interference. But the Defender Range Rover, with its advanced tracking system, offers a glimmer of hope.
This vehicle, once a symbol of power and privilege, may now serve as the key to unraveling a dark chapter in Sri Lanka’s history. Its data doesn’t lie, and its movements tell a story that no amount of political spin can erase.
As investigators dig deeper, the world watches. Justice for Thajudeen is long overdue, and the Defender may finally help deliver it.
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by (2025-01-21 16:32:26)
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