Lalith Jayasinghe - Military Career

Military Career

Jayasinghe enlisted to the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army on 22 January 1997, as a cadet officer. He received training at the Bangladesh Military Academy, where he followed Course 3 offered by the College. On completion of his training, Jayasinghe was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant to the 6th Regiment of the Gemunu Watch. He was later selected to undergo Special Forces training. After following Special Forces Training Course–24, which he successfully completed, he received Special Forces credentials following which He was then assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Regiment.

In addition to basic training, Jayasignhe had undergone several specialized training courses, both locally and overseas. These include the successful completion of training courses offered by India, China, United States and Bangladesh. He had also received training in military training centers of the Sri Lanka Army in Minneriya, Ganemulla, Uva Kudaoya and Diyatalawa areas. Jayasinghe was promoted to Captain, and later, to the rank of Major within a time period of ten years. He had functioned as a platoon commander, company commander and also a commanding officer during this time.

A recipient of the Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya (twice), Rana Wickrama Padakkama, Rana Sura Padakkama gallantry medals he had also received the Desha Putra Sammanaya, North and East Operations Medal, Purna Bhumi Padakkama, Sri Lanka Army 50th Anniversary Medal and 50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal.

Jayasinghe was a specialist in long range reconnaissance patrol operations, and had helped achieve many victories for the Sri Lanka Army during the Sri Lankan Civil War. This includes participating in the assassination of Vaithilingam Sornalingam, alias Colonel Shankar, a senior commander of the LTTE, its intelligence leader Charles (killed in January 2008), and Sea Tiger Deputy Leader Kangai Amaran in June 2001.

He was posthumously awarded the Parama Weera Vibushanaya on the 19th of May 2012 during the country's victory day parade by the president of Sri Lanka.