57 Division (Sri Lanka)

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.[1]

57 Division
Active	2008 - Present
Country	Sri Lanka
Branch	Sri Lanka Army
Type	Infantry Division
Part of	Security Forces Headquarters - Kilinochchi
Headquarters	Kilinochchi
Engagements	Sri Lankan Civil War, Battle of Kilinochchi 2008–09
Commanders
Notable commanders	Jagath Dias

Formation

With the start of Eelam War IV, 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.[2] 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.[3]

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.[4] 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.[5] Participating in the northern offensive, the 57 Division under the command of Major General Jagath Dias, Col GV Ravipriya commenced operations in March 2007.[6] It was deployed to advance on Kilinochchi along the western flank of the Wanni region.[7]

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.[8] The command of the 572 Brigade was taken over by Lieutenant Colonel Dhammika Jayasundera during this time.[5]

Sri Lankan Civil War

The 57 Division was involved in the Vanni offensive from the beginning – March 2007 – right up to May 2009.

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 year in April.[9] The 57 Division captured this area on 24 April 2008.[10][11] After securing Madhu, Palampiddi became the next objective,[12] which was captured on 17 May.[13] After capturing the village of Mundumurippu in May and Periyamadhu in June,[14] the 57 Division continued its advance into LTTE held territory and linked up with the 58 Division on 30 June 2008.[15]

A new army division was created during the same time to hold the ground captured by the 57 Division.[16] 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.[15]

Towns captured by 57 Division

#	Area Liberated[17]	Date
1	Madhu church complex	24 April 2008
2	Palampiddi 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 and Uilankulam Towns	22 August 2008
8	Mallavi Town	2 September 2008
9	Akkarayankulam tank bund	29 October 2008
10	Akkarayankulam built-up	5 November 2008
11	Kokavil Town	1 December 2008
12	Terumurikandy junction	10 December 2008
13	Kilinochchi Town	2 January 2009
14	Ramanathapuram	7 January 2009
15	Visuamadu Town	28 January 2009

References

1. Sri Lanka Army captured Vellankulam – last bastion of Tigers in Mannar district
2. Gardner, Simon (11 July 2007). "Sri Lanka declares fall of rebel east, Tigers defiant". Reuters. Retrieved 18 February 2009.
3. Perera, Amantha (23 September 2007). "Defensive Tigers warn of lethal days". The Sunday Leader. Retrieved 18 February 2009.
4. Wijayapala, Ranil. "Path Clear for Wanni Liberation". Daily News. Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka. Archived from the original on 22 December 2007. Retrieved 18 February 2009.
5. Wijayapala, Ranil (12 October 2008). "VIPs advised to strictly adhere to security measures". Sunday Observer. Archived from the original on 10 February 2009. Retrieved 18 February 2009.
6. "The Final Countdown". Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka. Archived from the original on 20 February 2009. Retrieved 18 February 2009.
7. Ferdinando, Shamindra (11 January 2009). "Forces poised for the kill on the Eastern flank: How Elephant Pass was won". The Island. Retrieved 18 February 2009.
8. Wijayapala, Ranil (10 October 2008). "Battered Tigers irked by Southern unity against terrorism". Daily News. Archived from the original on 13 October 2008. Retrieved 18 February 2009.
9. Jeyaraj, D.B.S. (13 April 2008). "Displaced Our Lady of Madhu statue in danger of disappearance". The Nation. Retrieved 18 February 2009.
10. Ruwan, Weerakoon (31 December 2008). "2008 blasts LTTE's myth of 'invincibility'". The Bottom Line. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2009.
11. Wijayapala, Ranil (11 May 2008). "Fall of Adampan humiliates LTTE". Sunday Observer. Archived from the original on 17 June 2008. Retrieved 18 February 2009.
12. Senpathi (11 May 2008). "Tigers on the back foot as Army presses on". The Nation. Retrieved 19 February 2009.
13. Singh, Ajit Kumar (September 2008). "LTTE: Heartland Imperilled". South Asian Outlook. Retrieved 19 February 2009.
14. "Sri Lanka 2008 at a Glance: Chronology of Important Events of 2008". Observer Research Foundation. Retrieved 19 February 2009.
15. Wijayapala, Ranil (13 July 2008). "Gallant forces gallop on the last lap to liberation". Sunday Observer. Archived from the original on 20 August 2008. Retrieved 19 February 2009.
16. Wijayapala, Ranil (25 May 2008). "Troops poised to capture Periyamadu". Sunday Observer. Archived from the original on 17 February 2009. Retrieved 19 February 2009.
17. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 20 February 2009. Retrieved 18 February 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)