Late Mr. Denzil Fernando was born on 28th September, 1933 at Moratuwa and educated at St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa throughout. He passed away on 7th September, 2011 before he could celebrate his 78th birthday on the 28th instance. He has a daughter, Arosha who is domiciled in Wellington, New Zealand.
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| Denzil Fernando No.1 on the podium |
During his school career he excelled more in sports than in books. He played soccer but athletics was his forte – the undisputed champion of the mile and half mile. He captained the athletic team and his school house until he left college.
He joined the Ace Athletics Club, which was his springboard to his athletic forte. He was the first Sri Lankan to run the 800m under two minutes. He had on many occasions represented Sri Lanka in athletics abroad as well as locally. In 1958 he represented Sri Lanka participating in the 800m under the captaincy of Mr. Nagalingam Ethiriveerashingham who won the gold medal in the high jump.
The writer was one of the founder members of CT & FC, the rival club of the Ace Athletics Club, who bettered 440 yards, 400m hurdles record held by legendary Mr. Duncan White for twenty years since 1960. Though the distance in meters was broken after the lapse of about six years, he still holds the distance in yards. He is the present holder of Sri Lanka Police record for 400m hurdles since 1962 for 49 years.
Denzil’s funeral took place on 12/9/2011 at Borella Cemetery in the presence of a fair gathering of his contemporaries. On the cover of the leaflet of the hymns sung were the words; “I have fought a good fight to the end,” words how Denzil lived. He leaves behind his devoted wife, Christine and daughter happily married and living in Wellington, New Zealand.
May he rest in peace!
Nimal Fernando (SSP retired) |
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