57 Division (Sri Lanka)
Encyclopedia
The 57 Division is a newly formed infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army. A principal offensive division it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region.
, a phase of the Sri Lankan Civil War
, the Sri Lankan military launched an offensive
to capture the Eastern Province from the LTTE. The Sri Lankan military had captured the Eastern Province from the LTTE by July 2007. Soon after this, the military's focus was shifted to the North, and a new offensive
began to capture the Northern Province from the LTTE.
A new division named as the 57 Division had been created by the Sri Lanka Army on 26 February 2007. This was created as an offensive division, with the task of neutralising LTTE threats on civilian settlements in Vavuniya
and Mannar
. Three brigades comprised the 57 Division, named as 571, 572 and 573. The 571 Brigade was commanded by Colonel
G.V. Ravipriya, while the 572 Brigade was commanded by Colonel Senerath Bandara. The 573 Brigade was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel
Prathap Thillekeratne. Participating in the northern offensive, the 57 Division under the command of Major General
Jagath Dias, commenced operations in March 2007. It was deployed to advance on Kilinochchi
along the western flank of the Wanni region.
A new brigade named as the 574 Brigade was added to the 57 Division in October 2008, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Senaka Wijesuriya. The command of the 572 Brigade was taken over by Lieutenant Colonel Dhammika Jayasundera during this time.
in April. The 57 Division captured this area on 24 April 2008. After securing Madhu, Palampiddi became the next objective, which was captured on 17 May. After capturing the village of Mundumurippu in May and Periyamadhu in June, the 57 Division continued its advance into LTTE held territory and linked up with the 58 Division
on 30 June 2008.
A new army division was created during the same time to hold the ground captured by the 57 Division. This new division, which was named the 61 Division, was given the task of holding the areas captured by the 57 Division up to Palampiddi, enabling the 57 Division to focus on the offensive.
Formation
With the start of Eelam War IVEelam War IV
Eelam War IV is the name given to the fourth phase of armed conflict between the Sri Lankan military and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, which is currently proscribed as a terrorist organisation by 32 countries . Renewed hostilities began on the July 26, 2006 when Sri Lanka Air...
, a phase of the Sri Lankan Civil War
Sri Lankan civil war
The Sri Lankan Civil War was a conflict fought on the island of Sri Lanka. Beginning on July 23, 1983, there was an on-and-off insurgency against the government by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam , a separatist militant organization which fought to create an independent Tamil state named Tamil...
, the Sri Lankan military launched an offensive
Eastern Theater of Eelam War IV
The Eastern Theater of Eelam War IV, the warfare started in the Eastern province of Sri Lanka on July 21, 2006, when the LTTE cut off the water supply to the rice fields in the Mavil aru area in the eastern Trincomalee district...
to capture the Eastern Province from the LTTE. The Sri Lankan military had captured the Eastern Province from the LTTE by July 2007. Soon after this, the military's focus was shifted to the North, and a new offensive
Northern Theater of Eelam War IV
The Northern Theater of Eelam War IV refers to the fighting that took place in the northern province of Sri Lanka between July 2006 and May 18, 2009.-Beginning of the war:...
began to capture the Northern Province from the LTTE.
A new division named as the 57 Division had been created by the Sri Lanka Army on 26 February 2007. This was created as an offensive division, with the task of neutralising LTTE threats on civilian settlements in Vavuniya
Vavuniya
Vavuniya is a town in northern Sri Lanka. This town is situated in the Northern Province. Vavuniya was often referred to as the gateway to Vanni....
and Mannar
Mannar, Sri Lanka
Mannar , formerly spelled Manar, is the capital of Mannar District, Sri Lanka. It is located on Mannar Island.Mannar is known for its baobab trees and for its fort, built by the Portuguese in 1560 and taken by the Dutch in 1658 and rebuilt; its ramparts and bastions are intact, though the interior...
. Three brigades comprised the 57 Division, named as 571, 572 and 573. The 571 Brigade was commanded by Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
G.V. Ravipriya, while the 572 Brigade was commanded by Colonel Senerath Bandara. The 573 Brigade was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
Prathap Thillekeratne. Participating in the northern offensive, the 57 Division under the command of Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Jagath Dias, commenced operations in March 2007. It was deployed to advance on Kilinochchi
Kilinochchi
Kilinochchi is a city in the Kilinochchi District, part of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. Kilinochchi is situated at the A9 road some south-east of Jaffna...
along the western flank of the Wanni region.
A new brigade named as the 574 Brigade was added to the 57 Division in October 2008, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Senaka Wijesuriya. The command of the 572 Brigade was taken over by Lieutenant Colonel Dhammika Jayasundera during this time.
Operations
In late March 2008, the 57 Division was given the objective of capturing the Madhu church and surrounding areas by the Sinhala and Tamil new yearSinhala and Tamil new year
The timing of the Sinhala New Year coincides with the new year celebrations of many traditional calendars of South and Southeast Asia. The festival has close semblance to the Thai New year, Bengali New Year, and Oriya New Year festival in India....
in April. The 57 Division captured this area on 24 April 2008. After securing Madhu, Palampiddi became the next objective, which was captured on 17 May. After capturing the village of Mundumurippu in May and Periyamadhu in June, the 57 Division continued its advance into LTTE held territory and linked up with the 58 Division
58 Division (Sri Lanka)
The 58 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2008, prior to which it was known as Task Force 1 from 2007 to 2009. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region...
on 30 June 2008.
A new army division was created during the same time to hold the ground captured by the 57 Division. This new division, which was named the 61 Division, was given the task of holding the areas captured by the 57 Division up to Palampiddi, enabling the 57 Division to focus on the offensive.
Towns captured by 57 Division
| # | Area Liberated | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madhu church complex | 24 April 2008 |
| 2 | Palampiddi Palampiddi Palampiddy is town in Mannar District, Sri Lanka. Popular Madhu Church is located close to this town.... Town |
16 May 2008 |
| 3 | Mundumurippu Village | 23 May 2008 |
| 4 | Periyamadhu Village | 15 June 2008 |
| 5 | Naddankandal Village | 11 July 2008 |
| 6 | Kalvilan Village | 13 August 2008 |
| 7 | Thunukkai Thunukkai Thunukkai is a town in the Mullaitivu District, Sri Lanka. It is located about 17 km from Mankulam & 4 km from Mallavi.... and Uilankulam Towns |
22 August 2008 |
| 8 | Mallavi Mallavi Mallavi is a town in the Mullaitivu District, Sri Lanka. It is located about from Mankulam & from Thunukkai. It has a population of about 5,000 and a crude education and heathcare system.... Town |
2 September 2008 |
| 9 | Akkarayankulam tank bund | 29 October 2008 |
| 10 | Akkarayankulam built-up | 5 November 2008 |
| 11 | Kokavil Kokavil Kokavil is a village in Mullaitivu District, Sri Lanka, also called Kokkavil. It is situated along A-9 road.- Massacre on Yal Devi:Troops were located parallel to A-9 Highway and old Murikandi-Kokavil Railway Station where LTTE massacre on "Yal Devi" passenger train was occurred... Town |
1 December 2008 |
| 12 | Terumurikandy junction | 10 December 2008 |
| 13 | Kilinochchi Kilinochchi Kilinochchi is a city in the Kilinochchi District, part of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. Kilinochchi is situated at the A9 road some south-east of Jaffna... Town |
2 January 2009 |
| 14 | Ramanathapuram Ramanathapuram Ramanathapuram , also known as Ramnad, is a city and a municipality in Ramanathapuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the administrative headquarters of Ramanathapuram district.-Tourism:... |
7 January 2009 |
| 15 | Visuamadu Town | 28 January 2009 |