imported>IDB.S: Logo Added

2025-06-01T06:02:39Z

Logo Added

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = 58 Division
| image = 58 Division (Sri Lanka) Logo.png
| caption =
| dates = 2008–present
| country = [[Sri Lanka]]
| allegiance =
| branch = [[Sri Lanka Army]]
| type = [[Division (military)]]
| role = [[Close-quarters combat]] [[Combined arms]] [[Counterinsurgency]] [[Forward observer]] [[Jungle warfare]] [[Maneuver warfare]] [[Raid (military)|Raiding]] [[Reconnaissance]] [[Urban warfare]]
| size = 20,000+ troops
| command_structure = [[I Corps (Sri Lanka)|I Corps]]
| garrison =
| garrison_label = Headquarters
| nickname =
| patron =
| motto =
| colors =
| march =
| mascot =
| battles = [[Sri Lankan civil war|Sri Lankan Civil War]]
| anniversaries =
| current_commander = Major General WTWG Ihalage
| ceremonial_chief =
| colonel_of_the_regiment =
}}

The '''58 Division''' is a [[Division (military)|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.<ref>[http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/01/05/sec04.asp Task Force I elevated to a permanent Division] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207031300/http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/01/05/sec04.asp |date=7 February 2009 }}, Dailynews</ref><ref>[http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20081115_04 Mop up operations in progress in Pooneryn salient; Air Force comes to troops assistance] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201171559/http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20081115_04 |date=1 December 2008 }}</ref> The Special Forces Brigade has been attached to the division.

==Current formation==
* 58-1 Brigade
* 58-2 Brigade
* 58-3 Brigade

==Sri Lankan Civil War==
{{Globalize|date=June 2010}}

===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 (2008–2009)|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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20090115_08 |title=Troops crush LTTE resistances, liberate Dharmapuram- Kilinochchi |access-date=15 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119182547/http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20090115_08 |archive-date=19 January 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 28 January, troops from the 58th Division gained control of Vishwamadu town, located south-east of Dharmapuram on the A-35 main road.<ref>[http://army.lk/morenews.php?id=19973 Troops Enter Visuamadu Smashing Enemy Defences]</ref>

On 29 March to 5 April 2009 [[Battle of Aanandapuram]] which was a land battle fought between the 58 Division, [[53 Division (Sri Lanka)|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===
{| width=100% class="wikitable" border="1"
! #
! Area Liberated<ref>{{cite web|url=http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20090117_03 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2009-02-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220044505/http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20090117_03 |archive-date=20 February 2009 }}</ref>
! 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 (Sri Lanka)|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
|[[Puthukudiyiruppu Divisional Secretariat|Puthukkudiyiruppu]]
|5 April 2009
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:58 Division}}
[[Category:Sri Lanka Army divisions]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 2008]]
[[Category:2008 establishments in Sri Lanka]]

58 Division (Sri Lanka) - Revision history

imported>IDB.S: Logo Added