Anura Bandara Herath, a crew member of Italy-bound cruise ship MSC ‘Magnifica’ and two others leave for home after Quarantine

Mr. Anura Bandara Herath who was facilitated by the Navy to get him back to Sri Lanka on 6th April 2020 while performing duties aboard the Italian cruise ship MSC ‘Magnifica’ and two other persons left for home on 21st April 2020 after completion of their quarantine period at the Boossa Naval Quarantine Centre.

Responding to the request made through social medias by Mr. Anura Bandara Herath who was a crew member of international cruise ship MSC ‘Magnifica’, SL Navy with the assistance of Sri Lanka Ports Authority, safely retrieved the Sri Lankan and brought him to the Colombo harbour with the blessing of the President, His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa and direct involvement of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva.

In a backdrop that the ship was not accepted by any port of a country, the ship had subsequently decided to set sail to Italy, where the parent company is located and while her course of a journey to Italy, the ship arrived at the port of Colombo for replenishment. At this moment, SL Navy made all arrangements for disembarkation of Mr. Anura Bandara Herath, the only Sri Lankan on board the cruise ship, and directed him to the Boossa Naval Quarantine Centre.

He along with two other persons who had undergone quarantine period left the Boossa Naval Quarantine Centre. All of them were examined by a PCR test for confirmation of successful quarantine process and its certificates were given away to them. Upon his leaving, Mr. Anura Bandara Herath expressed his utmost gratitude to the Sri Lanka Navy for taking prompt action to get him back to Sri Lanka.