Former Sri Lanka Under-19 cricketer Akshu Fernando has passed away, drawing tributes from across the cricketing community for a career and life cut tragically short.
International cricket commentator Roshan Abeysinghe confirmed the news in a tribute, describing Fernando as a talented cricketer and a “cheerful, friendly and thorough gentleman.”
“Just heard the sad news that Akshu Fernando has passed away. He was truly a wonderful young man whose promising career was cut short by a cruel accident. A quality player for his school and his final club Ragama. It’s a sad day for all of us who knew him,” Abeysinghe said, adding that he would be remembered “for the rest of our lives.”
Fernando, who represented Sri Lanka at the 2010 Under-19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand, had been in a coma following a devastating accident at an unprotected railway crossing near Mount Lavinia beach on December 28, 2018. The incident occurred as he was returning from a team running session held at the beach.
At the time of the accident, Fernando was regarded as one of the most promising young cricketers of his generation. He was part of the same Sri Lanka Under-19 squad as Dhanushka Gunathilaka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Kithruwan Vithanage, several of whom later went on to represent the national team at senior level.
Fernando was a standout performer at the 2010 Under-19 World Cup semi-final against Australia in Lincoln on January 27, scoring 52 runs in a match where he was Sri Lanka’s most successful batsman.
A product of St Peter’s College, Colombo, Fernando enjoyed an exceptional school cricket career, captaining the Under-13, Under-15 and Under-17 teams, while serving as vice-captain of the Under-19 side.
At club level, he represented Colts Sports Club, Panadura Sports Club, Chilaw Marians and Ragama Sports Club. In one of his final competitive appearance, just two weeks before the accident, Fernando scored an unbeaten 102 against Moors Sports Club on December 14, 2018.
His passing marks the end of a long and painful chapter following years of critical care and has reignited memories of a career that many believed would have taken him to the highest levels of international cricket.
Tributes continue to pour in from former teammates, coaches and members of the cricketing fraternity, remembering Akshu Fernando not only for his talent, but for his character and spirit. (Newswire)