A year after troops overpowered Tamil Tiger (LTTE) rebels in Sri Lanka's eastern province and took control of the area, normality has yet to return.
The government called the victory the "dawn of the east" and held a nationwide celebration on 19 July 2007, days after the last rebel stronghold fell.
It announced a host of development measures, and in May this year provincial elections were held for the first time.
A leader of a breakaway group from the rebels was appointed chief minister after helping fight against the LTTE.
But a year on, troops are still just as visible in major cities, towns and even in villages in the east.
Military checkpoints and stop and search operations are aimed at preventing "infiltration" by the Tamil Tigers - locals say such massive troop deployments in civilian areas increase their feeling of insecurity.
"All those who got training from the LTTE went with them to northern areas. Yet the military views all Tamils with suspicion," says one resident of Batticaloa.
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