The first act of hostilities by the LTTE, which ended the peace talks, was an attack on the Sri Lankan naval fleet in Trincomalee Dockyard in April 1995.

The Sri Lankan Air Force faced constant threats, and several aircraft were downed by LTTE-deployed surface-to-air missiles, used for the first time in the conflict.

The Navy played a crucial role in ensuring uninterrupted supplies and logistics, transporting troops, ammunition, military hardware, rations, and provisions to the entire northern theater.

The Navy was tasked with providing safe passage for the Ceylon Shipping Corporation and private merchant vessels reaching KKS with essential goods.

The Sri Lankan Army’s high command was deeply concerned about the Navy's ability to secure the Main Supply Route (MSR), which was vital for the operation's success.

On the eve of Operation Riviresa, the Navy managed to maintain the Main Supply Route, despite significant sacrifices by naval personnel in the deep northern seas and in protecting the KKS harbor, the only gateway to the north.

On the same night, 52 ‘Black Tigers’, elite commandos of the LTTE tried to infiltrate Palaly airbase by sea to destroy the aircraft, and were discovered and intercepted by the 1st Field Engineer Regiment troops (Commanded by Lt.

As the attack was anticipated by Brigadier Janaka Perera, it was repelled by troops of the 53 Division, which resulted in a large number of casualties for the LTTE.

The LTTE had prepared for the attack in advance by mining all roads into the peninsula and creating defenses in depth with additional cadres from the eastern province.

531 Brigade met with stiff resistance on 18 November, but managed to maneuver the troops east to avoid the heavily mined built-up areas.

On 19 November 534 Brigade stepped into the attack and fought one of the hardest battles as they moved to cut off the main road linking Jaffna from the rest of the peninsula.

On 29 November 1995, 53 Division, commanded By Brigadier Janaka Perera launched an assault on the LTTE positions guarding Jaffna town.

During the night of 1 December, LTTE cadres were taking advantage of the darkness, escaping in boats across Kilali Lagoon and abandoning the city's defenses.

Unfortunately for Sri Lanka, five of the brigade commanders who mattered the most were lost within the next year - three were killed in battle and two left the Army, disgruntled by dissatisfied planning by the political and military leadership.

SL Forces were unable to hold on to the subsequent gains (Navatkuli to Killinochchi from North and Vavuniya to Mankulum from the South), made into the LTTE areas beyond the immediate vicinity of Jaffna City.