Former Sri Lanka Under-19 cricketer Akshu Fernando has died on December 30 after spending several years in a coma. He was 34.
Fernando had been critically injured in a railway accident on December 28, 2018, while crossing an unprotected track in the southern Colombo suburb of Mount Lavinia following a beach training session. He was struck by a train and remained on life support for much of the time thereafter.
A right-handed batter of clear promise, Fernando’s domestic career appeared to be gathering momentum when the accident occurred at the age of 27. He scored his maiden first-class century for Ragama Cricket Club in the weeks prior to the incident and had also begun to develop as an offspin bowler. In total, he registered seven 50-plus scores at senior level.
Across a nine-year domestic career, Fernando represented several leading clubs, including Colts Cricket Club, Panadura Sports Club and Chilaw Marians Sports Club, and was regarded as a committed professional with a strong work ethic.
International commentator and senior Ragama Cricket Club administrator Roshan Abeysinghe paid tribute following the news of his death.
“He was truly a wonderful young man whose promising career was cut short by a cruel accident,” Abeysinghe said. “A quality player for his school and his final club Ragama, it is a sad day for all of us who knew him. A cheerful, friendly and thorough gentleman, he will be missed and remembered for the rest of our lives.”
