to destabilize the government and ultimately spoil the security forces' plan. In this backdrop, commandos were tasked to capture the Unichchai Tank bund intact to facilitate the major offensive. The capture of Unnichchai tank bund was one of the most significant raids conducted by commandos to facilitate break out of the major offensive to capture the LTTE stronghold Thoppigala. Reconnaissance missionsPeriyamadu rescue''' (22 November 2001): An eight-man Special Mission Patrol(Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol) led by Lieutenant Udesh Rathnayaka was surrounded by the LTTE at Periyamadu, near Tunukkai in Vanni region at least 25 km inside the enemy lines after an anti-personnel mine blast which injured two of them. This special patrol was planned ambush Poonarin - Paranthan road to take high-value terrorist targets at the Poonarin area. Unfortunately, this incident happened at 1945hrs on 21st and the team managed to survive till 1250 hrs on 22 November with one serious casualty. The trapped team was rescued by the Helicopter Squadron(01-Bell 212,2-MI24,1-MI17 Helicopters) of SLAF(Mission Pilot-Fl.Lt. Sudam Kaluaarachchi. It had taken exactly one-hour airborne time which included 28 minutes in LTTE held area and 50 seconds landing, rescue, and take-off time. Four helicopters had flown in at an altitude of 195 feet(treetop level). The whole operation was led by Major. Upali Rajapaksha RWP RSP (2IC-2 CR)of Commando Regiment who launched the operation and inducted to the location by the leading helicopter from Hingurakgoda Air Force base. This mission was conducted under extremely bad weather conditions and this was the first-ever rescue mission of this nature conducted by elite forces of SL Army. Parama Weera Vibhushanaya recipients Major G. S. JayanathMajor Jayanath Ginimelage Corporal H. A. Nilantha Kumara Sergeant K. G. D. Gunasekara Staff Sergeant K. G. N. Perera Corporal S. P. M. L. Pushpama Notable members Major General Janaka Perera – former Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army, a Leader of Operation Riviresa, former Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Australia & Ambassador to Indonesia Major General Percy Fernando – former Deputy General officer commanding of 54th Division who fought bravely till last moment during Elephant Pass Debacle in April 2001 Major General Samantha Sooriyabandara – former Commander of 53 Division Lieutenant Colonel Sunil Peris - First Officer Commanding of the Commando regiment Snowy (Military dog) – tracking dog; first animal to be awarded a military award in Sri Lanka Teesha (Military dog) – tracking dog; first dog to successfully