When young Akshu Fernando, a teen cricketing find who had lashed a commendable half century for Sri Lanka in a decisive 2010 U19 World Cup game in New Zealand that put him in the echelons of the budding top bracket batsmen, stepped on to the rail track in Mt. Lavinia, his mobile held to his ear in ernest conversation with his fiance following a ritual training jog at the beach side, he little realised that he was unwittingly stepping to the oblivion a life cut short by the cruel fate of a speeding train mowing him down.
Almost seven years hence the dynamic young cricketer breathed his last following a battle on a life supporter as the unconscious Akush never recovered from the terrible train damage caused particularly to his face.
Blitz Rage records this sad, tragic demise of the great young cricketer, great we describe him as for the abounding batting skills this St. Peter’s College find displayed in breaking out to the game to representing his country at the highest level, and thus salute his memory while mourning his irreparable loss while extending our deepest sympathies to his family members and loved ones.
We are reminded of the young West Indian batting great Collie Smith’s sudden demise while on tour of England when the now knighted young Sir Garfield Sobers, who went on to stamp his name as the world’s greatest all-rounder was touring along with him. West Indies lost a great in the early throes of his career hailed at the time ahead of Sobers. The loss of Akash in similar backdrop has not only cut short a career of great promise and a blow to Sri Lankan cricket.
The homage by former Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne at his loss is indeed defining, “Akshu Fernando, a cricketer I shared the field with, passed away today. We played the game we loved together, shared moments, laughs, and memories that will never be forgotten.
Gone too soon.”