Anyone know about a botched operation by US Special Forces tasked with freeing American hostages (the Allens) in Sri Lanka in 1984?

I don't know of any attempt, but by botched are you saying that an actual attempt was made that went wrong? The couple was released unharmed in 5 days, which generally would mean there wouldn't be time to move the appropriate forces to Sri Lanka, gather intel and conduct a rescue attempt. You have gotten my curiosity up. Do you have info about a botched raid?

This will probably require a FOIA request through the US State Department.