Victory Celebrations over Defeat of Tamil Tigers in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka

After the blasts of firecrackers.

Hanging dangerously from a three-wheeler.

Three-wheelers decked out in the national flag.

Riotous victory parade by ordinary folks.

Riotous celebrations.

When I arrived in Nuwara Eliya, popularly known as Little England on account of its temperate climate, was in the midst of the wildest celebrations ever to engulf the town: victory celebrations over the Tamil Tigers.

Everyone was so happy in this Tamil-majority town.

Convoys of vehicles and three-wheeler cabs blared their horns while their occupants waved the Sri Lanka flag in unrestrained joy, screaming their happiness as I snapped pictures of them.

Firecrackers were set off while police officers were out in full force to ensure that things did not get out of hand.

No one will ever forget the victory celebrations over the defeat of the Tamil Tigers.

Sir Lanka celebrates victory over Tamil Tigers

Muslims in Nuwara Eliya taking part in the victory procession.

What better way to celebrate than to let off tonnes of firecrackers!

Three wheelers, also known as tuk-tuk, in a convoy.

A 2 km-long string of firecrackers snakes around the Hill Country town of Nuwara Eliya.

SRI LANKA DEFEATS TAMIL TIGERS (LTTE)

It was a once in a lifetime experience when I witnessed how a nation responded to the end of a war which had plunged it into fear, suffering and poverty for 30 years.

People, including Tamils, poured onto the streets in spontaneous celebrations across Sri Lanka, ecstatic that the long dark night had finally come to an end.

I was overjoyed to share their happiness, and see history being made at the same time.