Debt-laden Sri Lanka marks independence day

Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe, right, receives Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin (Sri Lanka President’s Office/AP)

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin was the guest of honour at Sri Lanka’s 76th independence day celebrations on Sunday, as the island nation struggles to emerge from its worst economic crisis.

Mr Srettha joined Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe at a low-key ceremony near the country’s main seaside esplanade that included a military parade and parachute jumps.