The 56 Division is a

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 ...

. Established on 17 October 1997, the division is currently based in Kokeliya in the Northern Province. The division is a part of

Security Forces Headquarters – Wanni Security Forces Headquarters – Wanni is a regional command of the Sri Lanka Army, that is responsible for the operational deployment and command all army units stationed in and around the southern part or the Vanni region of the Northern Provi ...

and has two

brigade A brigade is a major tactical military formation that typically comprises three to six battalions plus supporting elements. It is roughly equivalent to an enlarged or reinforced regiment. Two or more brigades may constitute a division. B ...

s and six

battalion A battalion is a military unit, typically consisting of 300 to 1,200 soldiers commanded by a lieutenant colonel, and subdivided into a number of companies (usually each commanded by a major or a captain). In some countries, battalions a ...

s. Brigadier D. A. R. Ranawaka has been commander of the division since 6 August 2012. The division is responsible for of territory.

Organisation

The division is currently organised as follows: * 561 Brigade ** 16th Battalion,

Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment The Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (SLSR) ( Sinhala: ශ්‍රී ලංකා සිංහ රෙජිමේන්තුව ''Śrī Laṃkā Sinha Rejimēnthuva'') is an infantry regiment of the Sri Lanka Army; it is the second oldest infantry ...

** 19th Volunteer Battalion,

Gajaba Regiment The Gajaba Regiment (GR) is an elite infantry regiment of the Sri Lankan Army. Formed on 14 October 1983 at the Saliyapura Camp in Anuradhapura, it is named after the famous Sinhalese warrior King Gajabahu the First. It consists of 14 regula ...

(based in

Kanakarayankulam Kanakarayankulam is a small town in Sri Lanka. It is located within Northern Province. See also *List of towns in Northern Province, Sri Lanka Northern Province is a province of Sri Lanka, containing the Jaffna District, Kilinochchi District, ...

, Northern Province) ** 17th Volunteer Battalion,

Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment The Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Sri Lankan Army. Formed on 22 March 1988, it is named after Vijayabahu I of Polonnaruwa (King Vijayabahu, 1055 to 1110 AD). The regiment consists of 17 regular battalions, 9 volun ...

* 562 Brigade ** 21st Battalion,

** 11th Battalion,

Sri Lanka National Guard The Sri Lanka National Guard (SLNG) is the largest regiment in the Sri Lanka Army. It is a volunteer regiment currently made up of 20 battalions coming under the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force. History The number of battalions was gradually ...

References

1997 establishments in Sri Lanka Military units and formations established in 1997 Organisations based in Northern Province, Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Army divisions {{SriLanka-stub