Monday, December 15, 2008

Herbert Lakshman Fernando

Legend in his own time

Herbert Lakshman Fernando

Herbert Lakshman Fernando of Moonvalley Estate, Kundasale is a principled philanthropist.
He is one man unafraid of meeting words with deeds.

The oldest living member of the Kandy Sports Club, Herbert was an undaunted ruggerite cum adroit hockey player. A planter by profession, Herbert left for England three decades ago. Assuming duties as Assistant Secretary in the National Council of the YMCA, London, he embarked on rehabilitating 68 nationalities under one roof, a remarkable task indeed. Considering his social welfare work and strict discipline, Herbert was given a berth as Senior Administrator at the Horticultural Society of England.

Herbie was made both the accredited representative of the National Council of YMCAs in Great Britain and a British citizen.

Subsequently joining the Central Methodist Church, Preston, Lancashire as senior community worker Herbie rendered yeoman service in pioneering a safe haven for girls and boys aged 16-24, who had been rendered homeless.

Back in the motherland, Herbie joined Trinity College Kandy, his alma mater. His elder brother Lionel was a former principal of Trinity. But Herbie joined after his brother’s tenure of office was over.

Donating a handsome amount to begin with and then through prayer, Herbie undertook the task of concreting the Junior School compound. Mobilizing parents, students and members of the OBA, he ardently went about it.

Again, in a lively gesture, Herbie donated 300 books of English classics to Trinity. They are currently housed in the Junior, Middle and Upper School libraries. Furthermore, he brought choice sports equipment from the UK which he donated to the college.

Moreover, to Trinity’s Middle School Herbie donated an exquisite trophy in respect of The Most Promising Student of the Year in memory of his brother the late Lionel Fernando. Again, in memory of his sincere friend the late Quentin Israel, the celebrated ruggerite and coach, Herbie donated to the Junior School challenge cups to be presented to the Most Promising Student and the Best All-round Sportsman of the Year.

Installing the public address system and the security light arrangement for the Trinity Junior School was Herbert Fernando’s brainchild.

Herbert Fernando was brought up in a God-fearing Christian atmosphere. Therefore, he is benevolent, meticulous and religious. On November 8, he and his amicable wife Claudia dedicated to St. Paul’s Church, Kandy their invaluable house situated at Kundasale. It will function henceforth as St. Paul’s Eventide Home. It was a long-felt need of the Church.

Well done, good and faithful Herbert!

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