Sri Lankan Male: Uniformed Pageantry

For an admirer of the attractive features of young Sri Lankan men, there could hardly be a better pageant to view than any of the several military parades that take place throughout the year.

Having viewed only one myself, I find one needs a good telephoto lens or a prime position in the viewing stand to get the best views of the handsome young soldiers in full regalia or battle fatigues.

Failing the opportunity to take one's own photos, there is a small selection of artful images to be found on the newswire sites, such as these shown here.

The troops take to the streets in impressive numbers and present a fine display of military discipline.

The soldiers handsome, rugged features are quite different from those seen in models and seem more representative of the typical young male.

What impresses me in Sri Lankan military pageantry is not only the handsome image of the soldier but also the striking colors and design of the Sri Lankan flag.

An online account of the flag explains,

The flag of Sri Lanka is also known as Lion Flag. The lion symbol was used by the Lankan rulers from the time of King Vijaya.

Handsome Faces

It is the handsome faces of these armed men that hold the greatest allure for me.

The reality, of course is that the life of the soldier is not a glamorous one.

The Sri Lankan army is engaged in an unending conflict, as described here:

February 4th, the 60th anniversary of independence, was marked by a military parade in Colombo. But it did not pass without reminders of what Sri Lanka has become: a blood-soaked victim of ethnic strife and terrorism.

Bohouma Estuti

Any Sri Lankan on the right side of the conflict must have feelings of pride and sympathy for their soldiers on the front line.

Pay tribute to a Sri Lankan soldier today. If you are a civilian in the towns and villages of Sri Lanka, greet him or her with a smile and a word of thanks.

See related You Tube Videos.

Addendum:

A few more line-ups. Take your pick... Mine? Soldier no. 4 from left.

Other Sri Lankan Male Military Links:

All of the images in this post were obtained from a variety of sources and no claims of ownership are being made by this author. Some of the images have, however, been digitally modified for artistic purposes in accordance with the theme of this post.

Labels: military parade, soldiers