Kumar Anthony Paul Fernando: Forgiveness incarnate

“Beautiful Memories silently kept of one that we loved and will never forget” is what’s inscribed in Kumar’s tombstone by his family. It’s been one year for the 12th of September 2020 since my good friend Kumar Fernando left us to go to his creator. Even though he is no more with us, his memory and influence will always live on, in the lives of those who knew him, and were touched by his generosity and kindness. Kumar’s life has left an indelible imprint in the life of his close family and friends and this void can never be filled.

I got to know Kumar initially in 1972 while we were in school, but it was much later that we both entered the same profession as planters and worked in the same area and thus became close friends. This culminated in him inviting me to be his ‘best man’ at his wedding in 1976, a moment I still cherish.

Several years later after excelling in his chosen career as a Planter in Sri Lanka, he had the good fortune of being selected to work in Transkei, South Africa, where he worked with distinction for the Magwa Tea Corporation for 14 years, rising to the position of General Manager – Operations before he decided to leave Transkei for Melbourne, Australia at the pinnacle of his career.

His new home, Melbourne Australia offered Kumar many opportunities. Due to his versatility, entrepreneurial competence, and dedication he set up a successful restaurant business with his wife Nelu in a very short space of time. As always Kumar worked tirelessly to set it up, and the business flourished even in a highly competitive environment like Melbourne, purely because of Kumar’s commitment, perseverance and hard work.

Kumar unhesitatingly shared his success with others by unselfishly sharing his time and advice specially with many Sri Lankans who were learning the nitty grittier of business in Melbourne. I have had personal knowledge of some people whom he has helped, and these were some of his very endearing qualities that are rare in today’s world. Another quality that I found in Kumar as the years went by is that he could easily forgive those who wronged him and even go to the extent of helping such people and encouraged others to do so too.

By this quality he was practising the biblical principles of ‘forgiveness’ which many find hard to do. I know that this characteristic of forgiving others came very easily to him, entirely because of the grace he carried from the Lord. Forgiving and caring for people and assisting them came very naturally to Kumar. During my few visits to Melbourne, we used to discuss this area of forgiveness and spirituality in detail and I was amazed by his faith.

In the Gospel of Luke Chapter 6: verses 27-28 Jesus says ‘but to you who are willing to listen, I say love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you, pray for those who hurt you”. I can clearly say that Kumar lived and practised the Lord’s instructions and this is the legacy he left behind for his close friends and family. While I know that Nelu and his children Tehani, Ayesh and Sudesh and the extended family will continue to miss Kumar immensely, they can be proud that Kumar’s life was exemplary, serving the Lord and living the Word to his best always.

Visiting Melbourne will never be the same for me, I will miss Kumar and the special times we shared. I will always hold dear the fond memories I have of him and I am proud to have been his close friend for there many years. I know that the Lord Jesus has granted him eternal rest.

Rohan M Fernando