53 Division (Sri Lanka)
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (July 2020) |
| 53 Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1995 - Present |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Allegiance | Sri Lanka |
| Branch | Sri Lanka Army |
| Type | Division (military) |
| Role | Air assault Close-quarters combat Combined arms Counterinsurgency Forward observer Jungle warfare Raiding Reconnaissance Urban warfare |
| Size | 20,000+ troops |
| Part of | I Corps |
| Headquarters | Inamaluwa, Dambulla |
| Engagements | Sri Lankan Civil War |
The 53 Division is an elite division of the Sri Lanka Army. Trained and formed in 1996 under the leadership of US military officers, the unit was used as a principal offensive division during the War, having been deployed for combat operations in the Jaffna Peninsula, and is under the command of Security Forces Headquarters - Jaffna. 98% of the soldiers were “regulars”, meaning previous generations of their families had served or were serving in the military. The brigades of the 53 Division are also trained by the US Special Forces, which have been closely involved with its development and training since 1997. The 53 division consists of the Airmobile Brigade, a Mechanised Infantry Brigade and a Special Forces Brigade. At present, it is headquartered at Inamaluwa, Dambulla and serves as one of two infantry divisions in the Reserve Strike Force (RSF) under the direct command of the I Corps capable of acting as a rapid reaction force.[1]
Current formation
- Air Mobile Brigade
- 53-2 Brigade
- 53-3 Brigade
Sri Lankan Civil War
Towns captured by 53 Division
| # | Area captured[2] | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Puthukkudiyirippu Hospital | 12 March 2009 |
| 2 | Pachchapulmuddai | 1 April 2009 |
| 3 | Puthukkudiyiruppu | 5 April 2009 |
Notable members
- Major General Janaka Perera
- Major General Kamal Gunaratne
- Major General Samantha Sooriyabandara
References
- ^ "53 Division Commemorates Its 24th Anniversary". army.lk. Sri Lanka Army. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-02-20. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)