59 Division (Sri Lanka)
Encyclopedia
The 59 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2007. A principal offensive division it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region.
. 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.
Operations
Formed in the Welioya sector it was tasked with advancing from Welioya to the LTTE stronghold of MullaitivuMullaitivu
Mullaitivu is a small town on the north-eastern coast of Sri Lanka. It is the capital of Mullaitivu District in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. A largely fishing settlement, the town in the early 20th century grew as an anchoring harbour of the small sailing vessels transporting goods between...
. 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
Battle of Mullaitivu (2009)
The Battle of Mullaitivu was a land battle fought between the Sri Lankan Military and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam for the control of the town of Mullaitivu in the Northern Theater of Eelam War IV during the Sri Lankan civil war. The town of Mullaitivu was the last stronghold of the LTTE...
in January 2009, during which it captured Mullaitivu town
Mullaitivu
Mullaitivu is a small town on the north-eastern coast of Sri Lanka. It is the capital of Mullaitivu District in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. A largely fishing settlement, the town in the early 20th century grew as an anchoring harbour of the small sailing vessels transporting goods between...
, the last stronghold of the Tamil Tigers.
Towns liberated by 59 Division
| # | Area Liberated | 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 Mulliyawalai Mulliyawalai or Mulliyavalai is a town in the Mullaitivu District, Sri Lanka. Vidyananda College is located in this town.... |
26 December 2008 |
| 10 | Mullaittivu Town | 25 January 2009 |
Composition
- 59-1 Brigade
- 1st Battalion, Sri Lanka Sinha RegimentSri Lanka Sinha RegimentThe Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment is the first rifle regiment in the Sri Lanka Army and the second oldest infantry regiment in the army. It is made up of seven regular battalions, five volunteer battalions and a headquarter battalion...
- 11th Gemunu WatchGemunu WatchThe Gemunu Watch was formed with troops from the Ceylon Light Infantry and the Ceylon Sinha Regiment in 1962. It has been deployed in many major operations against the LTTE. It is made up of 9 regular units and 4 volunteer units. Headquartered at Kuruwita Army Camp, Ratnapura...
- 14th Vjayabahu Infantry BattalionVijayabahu Infantry RegimentThe king Vijayabahu was the one of the greatest rulers who ruled Sri Lanka from 1055 AD to 1110 AD. His heroic action is very popular among the Sri Lankans. Our Regiment is privilege to name as the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment to give the honour and respect to this great king...
- 1st Battalion, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
- 59-2 Brigade
- 12th Sri Lanka Light InfantrySri Lanka Light InfantryThe Sri Lanka Light Infantry is the oldest regiment in the Sri Lanka Army and the oldest infantry regiment in the army. It is made up of ten regular battalions, five volunteer battalions. Headquartered at Panagoda Cantonment, Panagoda...
- 14th Battalion, Sri Lanka Sinha RegimentSri Lanka Sinha RegimentThe Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment is the first rifle regiment in the Sri Lanka Army and the second oldest infantry regiment in the army. It is made up of seven regular battalions, five volunteer battalions and a headquarter battalion...
- 14th(v) Gajaba BattalionGajaba RegimentThe Gajaba Regiment was formed when 1st Battalion the Rajarata Rifles and 1st Battalion the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment were amalgamated in 1983 to counter the threat from the LTTE. It is made up of six regular battalions and five volunteer battalions. Headquartered at Saliyapura Camp, Anuradhapura...
- 12th Sri Lanka Light Infantry
- 59-3 Brigade
- 15th Sri Lanka Light InfantrySri Lanka Light InfantryThe Sri Lanka Light Infantry is the oldest regiment in the Sri Lanka Army and the oldest infantry regiment in the army. It is made up of ten regular battalions, five volunteer battalions. Headquartered at Panagoda Cantonment, Panagoda...
- 9th Vjayabahu Infantry BattalionVijayabahu Infantry RegimentThe king Vijayabahu was the one of the greatest rulers who ruled Sri Lanka from 1055 AD to 1110 AD. His heroic action is very popular among the Sri Lankans. Our Regiment is privilege to name as the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment to give the honour and respect to this great king...
- 7th Gemunu WatchGemunu WatchThe Gemunu Watch was formed with troops from the Ceylon Light Infantry and the Ceylon Sinha Regiment in 1962. It has been deployed in many major operations against the LTTE. It is made up of 9 regular units and 4 volunteer units. Headquartered at Kuruwita Army Camp, Ratnapura...
- 15th Sri Lanka Light Infantry