59_Division_(Sri_Lanka)
59 Division (Sri Lanka)
Infantry division of the Sri Lankan Army
The 59 Division is an division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2007. A principal offensive division it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Mullaitivu region.[1]
| 59 Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | 2007 - Present |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Branch | Sri Lanka Army |
| Type | Division (military) |
| Size | 20,000+ troops |
| Part of | Security Forces Headquarters – Mullaitivu |
| Headquarters | Mullaitivu |
| Engagements | Sri Lankan Civil War |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | General Officer Commanding - Major General Mahinda Ranasinghe, Deputy General Officer Commanding - Major General Laksiri Waduge |
Operations
Formed in the Welioya sector it was tasked with advancing from Welioya to the LTTE stronghold of Mullaitivu. The division captured key LTTE bases in the jungles of Mullaitivu, these included Muhagam camp (May 30, 2008), Michael camp (May 30, 2008), Suganthan camp (July 27, 2008), Jeevan camp (August 16, 2008) that belong to the one four base complex. Troops of the 59 Division took western section of the Nayaru Lagoon on August 21, 2008 and on November 11 Kumalamunai was taken followed by Othiyamalai (November 29, 2008) and Mullayaveli (December 16, 2008)
The 59 Division participated in the Battle of Mullaitivu in January 2009, during which it captured Mullaitivu town, the last stronghold of the Tamil Tigers.
Towns liberated by 59 Division
| # | Area Liberated[2] | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Munagam Base | 30 May 2008 |
| 2 | Michael Base | 4 July 2008 |
| 3 | Suganthan camp | 27 July 2008 |
| 4 | Jeevan Base | 16 August 2008 |
| 5 | West of Nayaroo lagoon | 21 August 2008 |
| 6 | Gajabapura | 23 October 2008 |
| 7 | Kumulamunai village | 11 November 2008 |
| 8 | Otiyamalai | 29 November 2008 |
| 9 | Mulliyawalai | 26 December 2008 |
| 10 | Mullaitivu Town | 25 January 2009 |
- "Tigers run out of options as Forces advance on all fronts". Archived from the original on 2009-02-04. Retrieved 2008-12-25.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-02-20. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)