With the start of
Eelam War IV, a phase of the
Sri Lankan Civil War, the
Sri Lankan military launched an
offensive to capture the
Eastern Province from the LTTE. The Sri Lankan military had captured the Eastern Province from the LTTE by July 2007. Soon after this, the military's focus was shifted to the North, and a new
offensive began to capture the
Northern Province from the LTTE. A new division named as the 57 Division had been created by the
Sri Lanka Army on 26 February 2007. This was created as an offensive division, with the task of neutralising LTTE threats on civilian settlements in
Vavuniya and
Mannar. Three brigades comprised the 57 Division, named as 571, 572 and 573. The 571 Brigade was commanded by
Colonel G.V. Ravipriya, while the 572 Brigade was commanded by Colonel
Senerath Bandara. The 573 Brigade was commanded by
Lieutenant Colonel Prathap Thillekeratne. Participating in the northern offensive, the 57 Division under the command of
Major General Jagath Dias, Col GV Ravipriya commenced operations in March 2007. It was deployed to advance on
Kilinochchi along the western flank of the
Wanni region. A new brigade named as the 574 Brigade was added to the 57 Division in October 2008, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel
Senaka Wijesuriya. The command of the 572 Brigade was taken over by Lieutenant Colonel
Dhammika Jayasundera during this time. ==Sri Lankan Civil War==