Former Sri Lanka Under-19 WC cricketer Akshu Fernando dies at 34

Thursday, 1 January 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Akshu Fernando

Former Sri Lanka Under-19 World Cup cricketer Akshu Fernando has passed away at the age of 34 in a career and life cut tragically short.

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 28 December, 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 27 January scoring 52 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, and vice-captain of the Under-19 side. At club level, he represented Colts, Panadura SC, Chilaw Marians CC, and Ragama CC.

International cricket commentator Roshan Abeysinghe for whose club Ragama CC, Fernando last played said: “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. He will be remembered for the rest of our lives.”