July 19, Colombo: Sri Lanka today ceremoniously celebrated the capture of the entire Eastern Province from the rebel control with pomp and pageantry with fighter jets roaring overhead.

The Nagenahira Navodaya (Dawn of The East) celebrations to honor the troops who wrested control of the eastern territories from LTTE held at the Independence Square in the capital Colombo included armed forces and police parades, an Air Force pageant, and cultural events.

(Pix: Sudath Silva)