Hi,
I'm from Sri Lanka, and I don't know what this guy is talking about...about being shot at, etc. Basically, selling gaja muthu is illegal in Sri Lanka and that's just about it! I feel he's trying to make a quick buck out of sob fictional stories. The value of such a pearl is priceless and this is the very reason why you can't sell such an item. It is considered sacred and recently it was announced some laws will change with regard to priceless items in personal possession.
I have a gaja muthu myself which has been handed over from generation to generation in my family and I bet it cost a fortune. Don't fall for the 'common, poor man' crap some people come up with just to hide the reality.