SL national shares his experience on board Italian Cruise Liner

A Sri Lankan national who was onboard the ill-fated Italian Cruise Liner, Costa Concordia and managed to escape to safety shared his experience with Newsfirst. Amila Danushka Kahadhagama, a resident of Gaminipura in Hatton, joined the Cruise Liner as an employee on October 3.

At the time of the incident, Amila Danushka said that he was in a restaurant when the ship suddenly tilted to the left.

He said the Captain of the Costa Concordia had told the passengers shortly after not to panic and that they are facing some technical difficulties.

A short while later, the power of the ship had gone off - for about fifteen minutes according to Amila Danushka.

The captain had once again told the passengers they were facing some technical problems.

Amila Danushka said that nevertheless, the people onboard panicked and started rushing towards the life boats.

At this point the ship tilted to the right, by which time people were boarding the life boats.

Amila Danushka said that his wife's uncle contacted the Embassy in Italy and assisted him to get back home.