Did Company tell not to mention that Lankan Engineer kidnapped in Nigeria

Did Company tell not to mention that Lankan Engineer kidnapped in Nigeria ....

was released by paying ransom of 50 crores?

Karunadasa's experience of being kept in jungle for 10 days .... fed on bread and eggs!

The Sri Lankan Engineer D.A. Karunadasa who was subjected to kidnapping in Nigeria returned to Sri Lanka yesterday.

The Italian Company for which he served and who paid something close upon rupees 50 crores or a part of it to the group of kidnappers has told him to keep it a secret; this is what was understood at the discussion which he had with the media according to his dialogue with the latter. Whatever it is, the efforts taken by that Company and the consulate office of that country is to be appreciated.

The gruesome incident of kidnapping Mr. Karunadasa however resulted in another's death and yet another person in this serious encounter was wounded and the ransom-seekers treating Mr. Karunadasa during the 10 days he was in their custody, the fact that he was given the opportunity to converse with his householders is in one way indeed was a fortunate matter to reckon with. This is how he described his experience.

"On the day when this incident took place I was going to office at 9 in the morning as usual. It is a common thing for me to go to the worksite in my own vehicle. It's a journey that takes about one and a half hours. It was my driver who was at the wheel. I have also been given a security guard. As on other days he too came. On this journey we come across a rough stretch of gravel road. On that stretch of land about 5 people came towards our vehicle pointing rifles and kept on shooting while coming like this. I ducked. But it was the driver and security guard that they shot and not me. The security guard died on the spot. The driver was injured. Being frightened of the gang, he pretended to be dead. At that moment those who approached me covered my face with cloth and escorted me away. It was to a jungle that they took me. Though my face was covered, I knew. I was taken along the middle of the jungle and when we reached a gravel road I was handed over to two others. Then the two of them took me and kept me under a tree until night fell. At that point they uncovered my face. They gave me a chance to speak with my boss over the phone but didn't give much time to do so. Since the driver who escaped during the incident managed to get on a cycle and to go to our worksite had related the story of what happened, our boss knew everything. I even heard him being made to talk with the kidnappers asking for the ransom.

Then after that they took me to another spot in the jungle. All the rest of the days they kept me under those trees. They keep bonfires burning at night time. Without letting me go they kept me right throughout the day providing me security. When close to me they are with masks on. There was always two of them there. At night one of them would sleep while the other would keep awake keeping vigil over me.

Apart from the two or three kidnappers, I knew that the others who were there were farmers of that area. They too are connected to this deal. Though I was offered food on the first day I didn't eat. Because of the mental state I was in I had no hunger. Later when I asked for bread they brought and gave me. But it was difficult to eat. It was by eating the bread toasted on fire and by drinking water that I lived in the first few days. But then I told them that if I live like this I'd fall sick .... that they'd have to face worse problems. Then they brought eggs and gave me. During all the days I was there it was bread and eggs that I ate and water that I drank. In that area there was danger of malaria too. I told them that I should be safe. Though they are a savage type of tribe they spoke cordially but showed no sympathy. But because I obeyed them and comported myself that way they developed an affinity towards me.

At the time I spoke to my boss they also gave me an opportunity to speak to my home people at short moments. After 10 days they suddenly told me 'right ... now get ready to go'. I knew I got freedom. Later it was in an awkward way that I was brought out of the jungle. There was one part which was full of pits. They brought me on their shoulders as if carrying a sack of salt. After that my face was once again masked and I was put into a van and it was being taken on several rounds after which I was dropped by a roadside. Since those were roads that I used to frequent daily I understood those roads. But I pretended not to know those routes. After dropping me they handed my phone to me. For my luck when I switched it on there was just a wee bit of charge left on the battery. I spoke to my daughter and said that I was released. They were so happy. After that a vehicle of the Company came

there with the police and escorted me.

Don't ask what the Company did to save me. I don't know to tell about it. But I have served 18 years there. They looked after me well. As the home people were scared after this incident I came after having resigned from there. But told me to take a decision I like and if I like they would welcome me to their service once more. If my home people won't object I'll go to work once again there.

I thank the consulate office and the Sri Lankan media for the support given regarding this incident. As if god saved me. Members of my family also are so happy about this.

This Sri Lankan has served in Nigeria for an Italian construction firm named Borni Prono. That company is one of the foremost construction firms in the world. A ransom of 50 crores or a part of it is not a big amount for them. However the fact that they had paid a ransom or about the insecurity of their employees is certainly something that creates a blemish on their establishment which is of international repute.

Previous new item in relation to the incident, from here