Who is Lalith Jayasinghe ?

Lieutenant Colonel J.A.L Jayasinghe WWV, SF, was an officer of the Special Forces Regiment of the Sri Lanka Army. He was twice honoured with the award of Weera Wickrama Vibushana (WWV) medal in recognition of his gallantry, in addition to Desha Puthra, Northeast, Poorna Bhumi, Army Anniversary and Independence Anniversary medals he received on various occasions. He was killed in November 2008, while leading an eight-man Special Forces team on a Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) operation 30 km into territory held by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Place of birth	Ukwatta, Awissawella, Sri Lanka
Place of death	Oddusudan, Sri Lanka
Allegiance	Sri Lanka Army
Years of service	1997-2008
Rank	Lieutenant Colonel
Unit	3rd Special Forces Regiment
Commands held	Company Commander SF - LRRP
Battles/wars	Sri Lankan Tiger Terrorism War

Lieutenant Colonel J.A.L Jayasinghe, Special Forces Regiment laid his life for the sake of his beloved Motherland on 26th November while fighting against terrorists in Oddusudan area.

Enlisted to the Army Regular Force on 22nd January 1997 as a cadet officer he received his training in Bangladesh Defence Services College pursuing the Course - 3 before he was commissioned to the 6th Gemunu Regiment. Afterwards he followed the Special Forces Training Course -24 and succeeded in receiving SF credentials to join 3rd Special Forces Regiment to serve operational areas.

Lieutenant Jayasinghe, showing his talents was able to rise to the ranks of Captain and Major within a matter of ten years after his commissioning. He served as Platoon, Company, Commander and also as a Commanding Officer in different formations.

He was twice honoured with the award of Weera Wickrama Vibushana (WWV) medal in recognition of his gallantry, in addition to Desha Puthra, Northeast, Poorna Bhumi, Army Anniversary and Independence Anniversary medals he received on various occasions.

To his credit, he has followed many overseas and local courses. He successfully completed courses offered from India, China, US and Bangladesh. He also received training in Minneriya, Ganemulla, Uva Kudaoya and Diyathalawa military centers.

He received his basic and higher education from Awissawella President's College and Colombo South Lumbini College. As an enthusiastic sportsman, he played Rugby for his school during his leisure time and brought honour to his alma-mater.

As a warrior of distinction and highest integrity, Major Jayasinghe played a prominent role in the execution of his duties in the battlefront. He was admired and fondly loved by all his officers and soldiers alike. His contribution to the SF in the past couple of years was exemplary and goes into the annals of SF and Army history. Major Jayasinghe, anxious to see a country free from divisive forces has fought the enemy fearlessly and determinedly until he was trapped into an enemy assault on that fateful day. He leaves behind his beloved wife, parents and brothers and sisters. His military funeral with full honours took place at Ukwatta, Awissawella general cemetery on Monday (01) evening. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Courtesy: SL Army