Freedom: Take III

Heads of armed forces salute President Maithripala Sirisena as he arrives to preside over the 67th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s independence from British colonial rule yesterday at Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte – Pic by Sudath Silva

Colombo’s streets are dressed up to mark this great day. For the island’s 6.5 million population it’s a public holiday. Behind the underlying festivity are the crowd’s somber faces; expectant but not overly excited. Ceylon is taking independence quietly – BBC, Ceylon Gains Independence, 4 February 1948

February 5, 2015

A few mornings a week, Independence Square receives a VIP visitor. He arrives in an unmarked, nondescript pickup truck, accompanied by two people. One is a personal trainer. The other, a bodyguard. In a glossy blue t-shirt, track bottoms and neon-laced sports shoes, President Maithripala Sirisena could be just another morning walker at the Square.

Freedom Take III by Thavam Ratna