A principal offensive division it was deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region in 2009.
[2] 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.
This was created as an offensive division, with the task of neutralising LTTE threats on civilian settlements in Vavuniya and Mannar.
[5] Participating in the northern offensive, the 57 Division under the command of Major General Jagath Dias, Col GV Ravipriya commenced operations in March 2007.
In late March 2008, the 57 Division was given the objective of capturing the Madhu church and surrounding areas by the Sinhala and Tamil new year in April.