Navy extends humanitarian relief; facilitates return of Sri Lankan crew member aboard MSC ‘Magnifica’
April 06, 2020 |
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Anura Bandara Herath, reportedly the only Sri Lankan to be onboard the cruise ship MSC ‘Magnifica’, which was facilitated by the Sri Lankan Navy (SLN) to disembark, following comprehensive quarantine procedures at the Colombo port today (April 6).
In addition, the Navy extended its humanitarian assistance making possible for a 75 year old German female suffering from heartache with immediate medical care.
The German national was disembarked and immediately transferred to the National Hospital in Colombo for further treatments.
Earlier, a video posted by Anura Herath on social media, requesting from Sri Lankan officials for possibility of disembarking in Colombo went viral, catching much attention and creating much debate.
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He had requested for the possibility of joining his family in Sri Lanka, as the cruise ship would be making a technical and refueling stoppage in the Sri Lankan territorial waters whilst on its way to Italy, its final port of call.
Previously, on March 13, the Navy had made scenario based preparations in responding to such an eventualities in the Sri Lankan territoriaL waters Including rapid response in a possible disease outbreak at port facilities. The preemption from the Navy paid good, providing leeway for decision makers at considering the request positively.
On directives of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and under the supervision of the SLN Commander Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva, the navy was able to retrieve the Sri Lankan safely, the Navy media said.
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According to Navy media, team of Navy's Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Unit was dispatched to the cruise ship this morning, which was approximately 4.4 nautical miles (09km) off the port of Colombo.
The vessel, which set sail on 05th January 2020, with about 2700 crew and passengers aboard, had to cancel its tour while in Australia, due to the worldwide coronavirus epidemic. Since the ship was not accepted by any port of a country, the ship has subsequently decided to set sail to Italy, where the parent company is located.
Herath is to undergo a mandatory quarantine period at the Boossa Naval Quarantine Centre for 21 days under close medical supervision before any possibility of rejoining with his family.
