As an active player in 'Operation Riviresa', the main task of this Battalion was to prevent LTTE cadres infiltrating into the Jaffna Peninsula through Pooneryn and to assure the security of the Pooneryn area, which the troops successfully ensured. Having been in Pooneryn for 15 months on 6thJuly 1996, the Battalion moved through Sangupitti across the Kilaly lagoon and reached Kerathivu in the peninsula.
On 30thJanuary 1997 the Battalion was deployed to Navatkuli and Thanankilappu areas. Lieutenant Colonel NB Weragama took over the Battalion as the Commanding Officer on 28thApril 1997. At the time, troops were placed under the 521 Brigade and deployed in Thanankilappu, Kerathivu and Navatkuli. On 2ndNovember 1998 the Battalion was redeployed to Chavakachcheri. Apart from ensuring security of the area the Battalion was also called upon to handle tasks relating to civil administration which the Battalion carried out well. Through the conduct of small scale operations the Battalion ensured security in Kaarathivu, Periyathivu, Madduwil, Thachchanthoppu, Navatkuli, Sarasaley and Chavakachcheri areas. These operations also saw the killing of LTTE's regional leaders named Kamalam, Para and Thamilan along with 17 other lower level leaders as well as the recovery of a large quantity of munitions.
On 21stMay 2000the Battalionredeployed to Velvettithurai. Lieutenant Colonel NB Weragama handed over command of the Battalion toLieutenant Colonel DHMWB Tammita on 18thMarch 2002.
On 26th December 2004 the Battalion suffered the loss of 3 other ranks and another 21 received injuries as a result of the tsunami that hit the Islands shores. In the aftermath the Battalion worked hard to bring back normalcy to the civilian life which was very much appreciated by the civilians. The relationships that were established between the two parties also resulted in the receipt of a considerable amount of information on the LTTE activity in the area.
On 16th February 2007 the Battalion was redeployed in Vakarai to be part of the 'Humanitarian Operation' conducted in the East. On 1stJune 2007, Lieutenant Colonel DHMWB Tammita handed over command of the Battalion toLieutenant Colonel HS Rathnayake. At the time, the Battalion was deployed in Panichchankerni area in Vakarai under command to the 233 Brigade.
Since the end of the war in the Island, apart from being engaged in routine security duties, the Battalion has also been engaged in work related to the re-settlement of civilians affected by the war. Lieutenant Colonel IUK Wattegedara took over duties as Commanding Officer on 19thAugust 2011
In September 2011, after 22 years of being deployed on operational duties the Battalion returned to its 'home town', Kandy. In Kandy, the Battalion is presently engaged duties related to the security of the 111 Brigade and in various other development projects undertaken Ministry of Defense& Urban Development and providing security under 111 Brigade.
