Lanka commemorated the military defeat of the LTTE, in Eastern province of the country in the morning of July 19, 2007, called "New Dawn to the East ". It took place in the country's main city of Colombo around Independence Square where passes the military parade. There were several commemoration ceremonies organized throughout the country on the same day. The government suggested hoisting the country's flag in every house and also lighting an oil lamp at auspicious time for the people who sacrificed their lives for the nation. The ceremony started with observing the silence for the fallen heroes of the military who sacrificed their lives for the country, then hoisting the country flag. President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who had officially accepted the total government control of the area, from the commanders of the army, navy and air-force. President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the nation stated, "Let us bequeath to them a land where Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims can live together and smile as the children of one mother. It is not possible to bring liberation to the Tamil people through guns, bombs and cyanide capsules. What they destroy is the future of Tamil children". The display of the military equipment and the parade inclusive of various the military units were some of the focal points of the ceremony. The display of air-force fighter planes as the final event of the ceremony. The ceremony has to be viewed in the context of the large political and military implications of the aftermath of the LTTE defeat in the east Murdering of prominent personnel The assassination of the head Priest of the Santhiveli Pilleyar Kovil Rev Selliah Kurukkal Parameshwaran on February 7, 2007, in his home Batticaloa. The priest who blessed President Mahinda Rajapakse during his visit to Vakarai four days before his death. As per Police investigations the murderers identified themselves as LTTE and forcibly dragged him out of his house and shot him to death. The TULF leader Anandasangraee himself attributed the murder to the LTTE and strongly condemned the LTTE. Assassination of Chief Secretary of the Eastern Province Mr.Herath Abeyweera on July 16, 2007, around 18:00 hrs at his office located at Inner Harbour Road in city of Trincomalee. The Police blamed LTTE for this assassination. He worked as the District Secretary of Ampara for more than 15 years and served the Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim people of the East with