Cayman residents dipped into their pockets to raise funds to help send the remains of Kasun Fernando, who died this week, to his relatives in his native homeland of Sri Lanka.
An initial goal of $12,000 was set by Fernando’s friend, Sunny Goswami, when he launched a GoFundMe campaign following the 32-year-old’s death, which occurred after he fell off a party boat Monday 11 Oct.
That figure was surpassed, and by Saturday afternoon $16,607 had been raised.
The Cayman Compass understands the remaining funds, after deducting the cost of repatriating his remains, will be sent to Fernando’s family back home.
In a joint statement Friday, Fernando’s friends who launched the GoFundMe told the Compass, “we are overwhelmed by the outpour of love and extremely kind support from the local community, and thank each and every person who donated and shared the GoFundMe page in order to help get our friend home”.
The Sri Lankan national, who was employed at the Westin, died mere days before his 33rd birthday, which would have been celebrated Sunday 17 Oct.
On Saturday, the Westin family Corporate Cup team will be competing in his memory.
Fernando’s body was found Wednesday 13 Oct. at around 11:45am southwest of Barkers Cay, ending two days of sea searches led by the Cayman Islands Coast Guard, assisted by private boaters and the police chopper.
The Westin, in a short statement Friday, said, “we are very proud of our associates who took the initiative to start the GoFundMe. We will be holding a memorial service for Kasun in the coming weeks”.
One donor, who sent $285 towards the campaign, wrote “Sending you all much love and peace. May Kasun rest in peace and continue to be a bright, bright light for everyone. He was loved by all of us”.
Fernando had been living in the Cayman Islands for a little over five years.
On Thursday, the Compass spoke to Jim Mauer, vice president and managing director of the Westin, who said the team at the local hotel was overwhelmed with the community’s response to the campaign.
At that time, over $12,000 had been raised.
“It is very humbling. He may have been Sri Lankan but he was Caymanian at heart…. He was the epitome of CaymanKind. He was loved,” Mauer said.
News of his death led to an outpouring of love and generosity.
On a Compass Facebook post, one commenter wrote, “A really unfortunate and sad thing to happen to this young man. Can’t imagine what his parents are feeling!”
Another wrote, “A hard worker, kind friend … my God have mercy on his family in this moment … Rest In Peace my dear”.
Police have confirmed they are investigating the water-related incident.
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