51 Division

During 1980 various terrorist organizations initiated communal riots in the Jaffna peninsula out of whom Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam was appeared to be stronger and that dominated the Jaffna town. As a result the civil administration of the Jaffna became unstable. It forced the Sri Lankan Government to go for a Military movement and hence established 51 Infantry Division in order to launch the RIVIRESA operation to regain the control of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam foremost strong hold Jaffna. After successfully completion of the operation, 51 Division was established in the Jaffna town and created a peaceful environment for the Tamil community in Jaffna by improving the livelihood of the people and involving the nation building programs.

In accordance with the concept of the Commander Security Force Jaffna Major General M Hathurusinghe RSP ndc IG, 51 Division was re-deployed in KOPAY on 04th March 2011. The 51 Division became the first permanent Army Camp in the Jaffna peninsula after termination of the three decades long war and made to the history by then Commander of Sri Lanka Army General J Jayasuriya RWP USP ndu psc. The 51 Division AOR is located in Jaffna Administrative District consisting 328.7 km2 of land area.

51 Division was inaugurated with the command of Brigadier HNW Dais RWP RSP USP IG and it has been commanded by 27 commanders. It’s consisting with 04 Brigades affiliating with the 08 Battalions to provide security of the Jaffna area in order to maintain the normalcy. Following senior officers have served as the General Officer Commanders during the past history that expands over twenty four years.

FORMER GENERAL OFFICERS COMMANDING

Major General MPNA Muthumala USP psc
General Officer Commanding
51 Infantry Division