53rd Division The Battle of Kanakarayankulam was fought on 4 December 1997, during the Sri Lankan civil war between the Sri Lanka Armed Forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

[2] This battle was a part of operation Jayasikurui a Sri Lankan military offensive during the Eelam war III.

[4][5] Despite heavy resistance, Sri Lankan military, led by elite 53rd division, managed to capture the Puliyankulam town on 15 November 1997.

In addition, 148 regular soldiers were killed, 451 were wounded and 18 were classified as missing in action.

Captain G. S. Jayanath of the 2nd commando regiment posthumously received the Parama Weera Vibhushanaya for gallantry in his actions during the battle.