Military parade for SLanka 75th independence anniv.

Sri Lanka marked its 75th independence anniversary on Saturday. Armed troops paraded along the main esplanade in Colombo, showcasing military equipment as navy ships sailed in the sea and helicopters and aircraft flew over the city.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe urged reflection on past "errors and failures" at a time of national crisis. He also said Saturday's anniversary came at "an extremely critical and challenging time". Wickremesinghe watched the hour-long procession of soldiers and army vehicles along a seafront promenade in the capital Colombo, inaugurated by ceremonial artillery fire.