The Sri Lankan military held a series of events across the heavily militarised North-East this month, as it marked the 69thanniversary of the army this week.
Thousands of troops took part in all the events that the military organised, in particular lavish Buddhist ceremonies and massive military marches through the streets of the North-East.
The army had its military flags and symbols blessed at various religious ceremonies across the North-East, and held several events with Tamil schoolchildren, despite repeated criticism over the militarisation of the North-East.
Though the government has pledged to demilitarise the region, the massive military presence and its intrusion into civilian life in the Tamil homeland continues, and shows no signs of abating.
See a selection of photos from recent events below.
Amparai
Jaffna
Trincomalee
Kilinochchi
Mannar
Vavuniya
Batticaloa
Mullaitivu
