Old Ben Mervyn Fernando of famous sports quartet passes away

Mervyn Fernando, second in a famous quartet of brothers who represented St Benedict’s College, Kotahena at cricket and football has died at the age of 79.

Mervyn was vice-captain to Sunil Fernando in that invincible cricket team of 1964 where St Benedict’s College went through the season unbeaten and were crowned Lifebuoy Shield champions. Mervyn was a highly reliable batsman and medium-pace bowler who later went onto play for Lanka Lions.Elder brother of the famous Benedictine quartet was Lionel who played cricket for his alma mater and later for Ceylon. Benildus, the third in the family and Damien, the fourth and last, both played football for St Benedict’s and later went on to represent Sri Lanka.

Mervyn’s remains will lie at Negombo Jayaratne funeral parlour from Saturday after 2 pm till Monday 11 am before it is taken to Negombo General Cemetery for burial.