Photos: Sri Lanka marks 75th independence anniversary with military parade

Armed troops paraded along the main esplanade in Colombo, showcasing military strength

Published: February 04, 2023 14:12 Gulf News Report

1 of 12

Colombo: Sri Lanka marked 75 years since independence with a sombre military parade on Saturday, as its president urged reflection on past 'errors and failures' at a time of national crisis. | Mounted Division of Sri Lanka Police. Image Credit: Reuters

2 of 12

Its 22 million people are reeling from the hardships triggered by an unprecedented economic collapse last year that brought months of food and fuel shortages. | Sri Lanka's female police members. Image Credit: Reuters

3 of 12

Sri Lanka is effectively bankrupt and has suspended repayment of nearly $7 billion in foreign debt due this year pending the outcome of talks with the International Monetary Fund. | Sri Lankan Army personnel. Image Credit: AFP

4 of 12

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who took office last July at the peak of the resulting political unrest, said Saturday's anniversary came at 'an extremely critical and challenging time'. Image Credit: AFP

5 of 12

Wickremesinghe, flanked by top military brass, watched the hour-long procession of soldiers and army vehicles along a seafront promenade in the capital Colombo, inaugurated by ceremonial artillery fire but boycotted by opposition parties. Image Credit: AFP

6 of 12

Sri Lankan Army personnel. Image Credit: AFP

7 of 12

Sri Lankan Army soldiers. Image Credit: AFP

8 of 12

Sri Lankan Army soldiers. Image Credit: AFP

9 of 12

Sri Lankan Army soldiers atop a vehicle. Image Credit: AFP

10 of 12

Sri Lanka Army tanks roll along the sea-front promenade. Image Credit: AFP

11 of 12

Sri Lankan Army parachute troopers. Image Credit: AFP

12 of 12

Sri Lankan Army soldiers march past with an elephant. Image Credit: AFP

Photos News

Photos: Sri Lanka marks 75th independence anniversary with military parade

More From Photos

Photos: Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival kicks off

Scores of schools in India’s capital region evacuated after email bomb threat hoax

Philippines keeps schools shut as heat shows no signs of abating

Mass fish die-off in Vietnam as heatwave roasts Southeast Asia

GULFNEWS SECTIONS

Trending

Photos: Sri Lanka marks 75th independence anniversary with military parade

More From Photos

Photos: Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival kicks off

Scores of schools in India’s capital region evacuated after email bomb threat hoax

Philippines keeps schools shut as heat shows no signs of abating

Mass fish die-off in Vietnam as heatwave roasts Southeast Asia

GULFNEWS SECTIONS