Former Sri Lanka Under-19 cricketer Akshu Fernando has passed away, after spending several years in a coma following a tragic railway accident.
Fernando suffered severe head injuries and multiple fractures in the accident, which occurred on December 28, 2018, at an unprotected railway crossing near Mount Lavinia Beach. He was returning from a team running session when he was struck by a train. Critically injured, he remained under intensive care on life support, with round-the-clock monitoring by his family.
A talented all-rounder, Fernando was a product of St Peter’s College, Colombo, and had a successful school and club cricket career.
At the 2010 Under 19 World Cup semi-finals against Australia at Lincoln on January 27, Akshu was the only successful batsman scoring 52 runs. There Akshu was playing along with cricketers like Dhanushka Gunatillake, Bhanka Rajapaksa and Kithruwan Withanage who later entered the stardom of cricket.
Akshu also played for several clubs including Colts SC, Panadura SC, Chilaw Marians and Ragama SC and at the last match he played on December 14, 2018--exactly two weeks before his unfortunate incident--the explosive batter had a knock of 102 not out against Moors club.
International cricket commentator Roshan Abeysinghe paid tribute to Fernando, saying: “He was truly a wonderful young man whose promising career was cut short by a cruel accident. A cheerful, friendly, and thorough gentleman, we will miss him and remember him for the rest of our lives. Rest in peace, sweet prince.”
