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

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.

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.

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.

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'.

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.

Sri Lankan Army personnel.

Sri Lankan Army soldiers.

Sri Lankan Army soldiers.

Sri Lankan Army soldiers atop a vehicle.

Sri Lanka Army tanks roll along the sea-front promenade.

Sri Lankan Army parachute troopers.

Sri Lankan Army soldiers march past with an elephant.