Vanni liberation field commanders

Major General Jagath Dias General Officer Commanding 57 Division

An officer attached to the Gajaba Regiment, Jagath Dias took up the challenge of commanding the 57 offensive Division in the Vanni Liberation operation in the mid of Year 2007 after Brigadier Sumith Manawadu. He commanded his troops to capture sacred Madhu Church in April 25, 2008 the first significant victory achieved by the 57 Division. Then onward the 57 Division captured the significant townships Palampiddi, Periyamadu, Thunukkai, Mallavi and Akkarayankulam, Murikkandi and Iranamadu. Capturing Kilinochchi was the highest achievement by the 57 Division under his command. Later he also commanded his troops to capture Ramanathanpuram and Visuamadu towns.

Brigadier Shavendra Silva General Officer Commanding 58 Division

An officer attached to Gajaba Regiment, Brigadier Shavendra Silva was first appointed as the Commander of the Task Force I which was later elevated as the 58 Division, that was the second offensive Division to join the Vanni liberation operation. An battle hardened officer, Brigadier Silva commanded his troops from the Mannar towards the Pooneryn to fully liberate the North Western coast from the clutches of the LTTE having captured major Sea Tiger bases Vidathalthivu, Iluppakadaval Nachchikuda, Iranativ, Devil's Point to reach Pooneryn. Then he commanded his troops to advance along the Pooneryn Paranthan road to capture Paranthan junction with the dawn of the year 2009 and later to captured key strongholds of the LTTE Kilinochchi and Elephant Pass and to reach the North Eastern coast having capturing Tharmapuram, Visuamadu and Puthukudiyiruppu. His highest achievement came on April 20, 2009 as he commanded his troops along with the Commando and Special Forces troops to liberate 117,000 people trapped inside the No Fire Zone and to contribute towards the last battle in Karyanmullivaikkal in the Mullaitivu North in which the Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran was killed.

Major General Jagath Jayasuriya Security Forces Commander Vanni

Major General Jagath Jayasuriya was the key figure that oversaw the Vanni liberation operation overlooking all the needs of the offensive Divisions.

Brigadier Prasanna Silva General Officer Commanding 55 Division

A battle hardened Infantry Officer Brigadier Prasanna Silva initially commanded the troops in the Mavil Aru battle and to liberate Vakarai in the year 2006. He was later appointed as the General Officer Commanding of the 55 Division in Jaffna to command his troops to capture Nagarkovil, Kudarappu, Chempionpattu in the Eastern coast of the Jaffna peninsula. Later he commanded the 55 Division to capture Chundikulam and Chalai in the Eastern coast. During the final battle in the Mullaitivu North Brigadier Prasnna Silva commanded the 59 Division troops to capture Vadduvakkal causeway clearing the path for the civilians to escape towards military controlled areas.

Major General Kamal Gunaratne General Officer Commanding, 53 Division

Another battle hardened officer from the Gajaba Regiment, Major General Kamal Gunaratne first commanded the 55 Division in Jaffna and later appointed as the GOC of the 53 Division. He commanded his troops to capture Muhamalai, Pallai, Soranpattu and Elephant Pass. Then his Division moved to Mankulam and was later deployed in the battle to capture Puthukudiyirippu. It was his troops who captured the Western edge of the Nanthikadal lagoon along with the Task Force VIII troops. In the final battle it was the troops under his command that recovered the body of the Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran.

Major General Nandana Udawatta former GOC of the 59 Division

Currently the Overall Operations Commander Anuradhapura, Major General Nandana Udawatta was the first GOC of the 59 offensive Division which began operations from Weli Oya sector to clear the entire Mullaitivu jungle including that of the famous 1-4 Base complex of the LTTE. That was one of the difficult battle he had to fight in the thick jungles in isolation where LTTE had alls their bases He commanded his troops until the 59 Division troops captured Nayaru, Alampil, Mulliyavali, Thanniuttu and Mullaitivu towns.

Brigadier Satyapriya Liyanage Commander Task Force III

Having commenced operations from the Vannivilankulam in November 2008, Brigadier Liyanage commanded his troops to capture key junction town Mankulam on the A-9 road, Olumadu and Ampakamam in the East of A-9 road.

Brigadier Chagie Gallage General Officer Commanding 59 Division

He first commanded the commando troops in the Thoppigala liberation operation which was considered the pinnacle of the Eastern liberation operation. He was later appointed as the Task Force I commander and commanded his troops to capture Silavatura in September 2007. Later he was appointed as the Director Training of the Army Headquarters. He was sent specially sent to 59 Division to overlook the operational matters. It was under his supervision the Forward Defences in the entire Mullaitivu front which had helped greatly to lay siege on the last terrain of the LTTE in Mullaitivu North leaving no room for the LTTE to escape into Mullaitivu jungles.

Brigadier Rohana Bandara Commander Task Force II

An engineer officer Brigadier Bandara commanded the troops of the Task Force II which was formed in June 2008, from Palamoddai in the West of A-9 road giving support for the 57 Division to continue their advance towards Kilinochchi. It was his troops who captured Navi village, Puliyankulam, Kanakarayankulam and Udayarkattukulam tank bund during the Vanni liberation operation.

Colonel Nishantha Wanniarachchi Commander Task Force IV

Colonel Nishantha Wanniarachchi commanded the troops of the Task Force IV which was formed in December 2008, to capture Nedunkerni, Oddusudan and Kereridattu towns. He later commanded his troops to capture massive arms and ammunitions stocks and major Tiger bases in the along the Oddusudan - Puthukudiyiruppu road.