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.
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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.
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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.
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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'.
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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.
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Sri Lankan Army personnel.
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Sri Lankan Army soldiers.
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Sri Lankan Army soldiers.
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Sri Lankan Army soldiers atop a vehicle.
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Sri Lanka Army tanks roll along the sea-front promenade.
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Sri Lankan Army parachute troopers.
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Sri Lankan Army soldiers march past with an elephant.
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