58 Division (Sri Lanka)

The 58 Division is a 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.[1][2] The Special Forces Brigade has been attached to the division.

58 Division
Active2008 – Present
CountrySri Lanka
BranchSri Lanka Army
TypeDivision (military)
RoleClose-quarters combat
Combined arms
Counterinsurgency
Forward observer
Jungle warfare
Maneuver warfare
Raiding
Reconnaissance
Urban warfare
Size20,000+ troops
Part ofI Corps
EngagementsSri Lankan Civil War
Commanders
Current
commander		Major General WTWG Ihalage

Current formation
  • 58-1 Brigade
  • 58-2 Brigade
  • 58-3 Brigade

Sri Lankan Civil War

Operations

The Division recaptured the strategically important Pooneryn salient and played a major role in the recapture of the Kilinochchi in the Battle of Kilinochchi and the strategically important Elephant Pass the Gateway to Jaffna.

On 15 January, 58 Division gained total control over Dharmapuram, in Kilinochchi District, a key LTTE stronghold located along the A-35 Paranthan - Mullaittivu main road. Troops cleared the area of LTTE fighters.[3]

On 28 January, troops from the 58th Division gained control of Vishwamadu town, located south-east of Dharmapuram on the A-35 main road.[4]

On 29 March to 5 April 2009 Battle of Aanandapuram which was a land battle fought between the 58 Division, 53 Division and Task Force 8 and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for the control of the last stronghold held by the LTTE.

Towns captured by 58 Division
# Area Liberated[5] Date
1 Adampan town 9 May 2008
2 Mullikkandal, Minnaniranchan and Marattikannaddi Villages 24 June 2008
3 "The Mannar Rice Bowl": Alankulama, Andankulama, Alakaddiveli, Parappakandal, Parappukadatan,
Papamoddai, Odupallam, Neduvarampu, Kannaputtukulama and Vannakulama Villages		 29 June 2008
4 Linked up with 57 Division - south west of Periyamadhu 30 June 2008
5 Vidattaltivu Town 16 July 2008
6 Illuppaikkadavai Town 2 August 2008
7 Vellankulam Town, Mulankavil and Pallavarayankaddu areas 12 August 2008
8 Nachchikudha 21 August 2008
9 Maniyankulama 16 October 2008
10 Vannerikkulama 20 October 2008
11 Nochchimodai 28 October 2008
12 Jeyapuram and Nachchikuda 29 October 2008
13 Kiranchi 10 November 2008
14 Devil's Point and Vallaipadu 13 November 2008
15 Pooneryn 15 November 2008
16 Sinna-Paranthan 23 December 2008
17 Nalanawakulam Village 26 December 2008
18 Paranthan 1 January 2009
19 Killinochchi town 2 January 2009
20 Murasumoddai 8 January 2009
21 Dharmapuram 15 January 2009
22 Visuamadu Town 28 January 2009
23 Thevipuram 20 February 2009
24 Iranapalai Junction 17 March 2009
25 Pachchapulmuddai 1 April 2009
26 Puthukkudiyiruppu 5 April 2009

References
  1. Task Force I elevated to a permanent Division Archived 7 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine, Dailynews
  2. Mop up operations in progress in Pooneryn salient; Air Force comes to troops assistance Archived 1 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  3. "Troops crush LTTE resistances, liberate Dharmapuram- Kilinochchi". Archived from the original on 19 January 2009. Retrieved 15 January 2009.
  4. Troops Enter Visuamadu Smashing Enemy Defences
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 20 February 2009. Retrieved 18 February 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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