The 53 Division is an elite

division Division or divider may refer to: Mathematics *Division (mathematics), the inverse of multiplication *Division algorithm, a method for computing the result of mathematical division Military *Division (military), a formation typically consisting ...

of the

Sri Lanka Army ta, இலங்கை இராணுவம் , image = File:Sri Lanka Army Logo.png , image_size = 180px , caption = Emblem of the Sri Lanka Army , start_date ...

. Trained and formed in 1996 under the leadership of US military officers, the unit was used as a principal offensive division during the

War War is an intense armed conflict between states, governments, societies, or paramilitary groups such as mercenaries, insurgents, and militias. It is generally characterized by extreme violence, destruction, and mortality, using regular o ...

, having been deployed for combat operations in the Jaffna Peninsula, and is under the command of

Security Forces Headquarters - Jaffna Security is protection from, or resilience against, potential harm (or other unwanted coercive change) caused by others, by restraining the freedom of others to act. Beneficiaries (technically referents) of security may be of persons and social ...

. 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 Dambulla ( si, දඹුල්ල ''Dam̆bulla'', ta, தம்புள்ளை ''Tampuḷḷai'') is a town situated in the north of Matale District, Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is the second largest populated and urbanised centre af ...

and serves as one of two infantry divisions in the Reserve Strike Force (RSF) under the direct command of the

I Corps I Corps, 1st Corps, or First Corps may refer to: France * 1st Army Corps (France) * I Cavalry Corps (Grande Armée), a cavalry unit of the Imperial French Army during the Napoleonic Wars * I Corps (Grande Armée), a unit of the Imperial French A ...

capable of acting as a

rapid reaction force A rapid reaction force is a military or police unit designed to respond in very short time frames to emergencies. When used in reference to police forces such as SWAT teams, the time frame is minutes, while in military applications, such as with t ...

Current formation

* Air Mobile Brigade *53-2 Brigade *53-3 Brigade

Sri Lankan Civil War

Towns captured by 53 Division

Notable members

*Major General

Janaka Perera Major General Janaka Perera, RWP, RSP, VSV, USP, VSP, rcds, psc, CR (1 February 1946 – 6 October 2008) was a Sri Lankan General and politician. He served as the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army and is considered one of the most d ...

*Major General

Kamal Gunaratne General G. D. H. Kamal Gunaratne, WWV, RWP, RSP, USP is a retired Sri Lankan military officer. He is the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and the State Ministry of National Security and Disaster Management. A retired career officer o ...

*Major General

Samantha Sooriyabandara Major General Samantha Sooriyabandara RSP, USP was a Sri Lankan Army Major general and diplomat who commanded the 53 Division. He also served as the Defence Attache in the Sri Lanka Embassy in Washington D.C. Early life and education Soori ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:53 Division Sri Lanka Army divisions