Hours before the 53 and 55 Division War Heroes completed the capture of Elephant Pass on Friday (8), one of the dedicated Senior Officers of the Sri Lanka Army, Colonel Nalinda Kumarasinghe, paid the supreme sacrifice due to explosion of a chain of LTTE cluster bombs which have been banned in the warfare under UN conventions.This War Hero, Colonel Nalinda Kumarasinghe (as posthumously promoted), the senior most military officer to lay his life in the Wanni humanitarian operation, succumbed to injuries sustained in the explosion of those cluster bombs at Pulopallai area.Kumarasinghe Hettiarachchilage Ajith Nalinda Kumarasinhge who was born in Rathnapura on 20th July 1967 completed his education at Rathnapura Seevali Central College. Inspired by spirits of adventure and patriotism, young Kumarasinghe with blessings from his beloved parents joined the Sri Lanka Army on 20th July 1987.Having completed his Officer Cadet training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy Diyatalawa, he received his commission in the rank of Second Lieutenant and was attached to the 5th Battalion of the Gemunu Watch (5 GW) as a Platoon Commander.Dedication and commitment to the service brought him due promotions. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 23rd December 1990, Captain on 23rd December 1992, Major on 23rd December 2001 and Lieutenant Colonel on 26th July 2007.During his unblemished career spanning over two decades, Colonel KUMARASINGHE has rendered his service as a Platoon Commander, Officer Commanding, Intelligence Officer and Adjutant. At the time of his untimely death, Colonel Kumarasinghe was commanding the 5 GW under the Air Mobile Brigade, Jaffna.This brilliant senior officer was selected as an Officer Commanding in the first GW contingent sent for service in Haiti for UN Peace Keeping missions.Young Officers' Course in Bangladesh and Junior Commanders' Course in Pakistan were among the foreign courses in addition to a number of local advanced military and academic courses he followed.He took place in many military operations such as Balawegaya 1, Balawegaya 11, Riviresa, Hideout, Thrividha Balaya, Akunu Pahara, Gajasinghe and Bhumikampa conducted against the LTTE. Due to his valour shown in the battle field, he was conferred with gallantry awards of Rana Wickrema Padakkama (RWP) and Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP). Purna Bhumi, North and East Operations, Riviresa Campaign Service, 50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration, Sri Lanka Army 50th Anniversary, Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service and Peace Keeping Operation are among the other decoration medals he earned for his service rendered to the Army.He leaves his wife Nilmi Kumari Kumarasinghe and 10 year old son Nadil Nethkal Kumarasinghe behind.His funeral will take place at Ballapana general cemetery on 11th January with full military honours.The name of Colonel Kumarasinghe Hettiarachchilage Ajith Nalinda Kumarasinhge will adorn the golden pages of contemporary Sri Lankan history for his bravery, valour and supreme sacrifice made to safeguard the sovereignty of the motherland.