Figure 1.--A Sri Lankan reader tells us, "These four rural boys are around age 13-15 years old. They are wearing a variety of casual shirts and short pants of varied length. The boy who is standing is wearing faded blue colour mid-thigh length school shorts and the boy who sitting in the right corner of the photo is wearing very brief blue colour school shorts. The boy who is sitting in the left corner is wearing brief khaki shorts, also probably school shorts."

Sri Lanka is an island country in the Indian Ocean south of India. The country was called Ceylon as a British colony. A British readers, Trevor tells us a little about his time in Ceylon as a little boy. We are just beginning to acquire basic information on Sri Lanka at this time. We are developing some basic information on Sri Lanka history. Recorded history begins with the arrival of Prince Vijaya (543 BC). Ceylon moved toward independence as India became independent. The counrry achieved dominion status within the Commonwealth (1948). Buddhism is the majority religion in Sri Lanka. While Buddhism largely died out in India, it has continued to thrive in Sri Lanka. A Sri Lanka source explains, "Buddhism is the lime light of Sri Lankan Civilization from ancient times. Everything about Sri Lankan life related to Buddhism. Buddhism practiced in Sri Lanka is called Theravada which's main focus is to give priority to the philosophy of living a simple life." We have some limited information about boys' clothing in Sri Lanka. Climate and income levels are major factors affecting children clothes in Sri Lanka. The climate is tropical. As a result, usually only very light-weight clothing is needed. Income levels are relatively low. Thus most families can not afford exensive outlays for children's clothing. Many boys wear casual shirts and short pants. We note many Sri Lanka children go barefoot. Flip flops are also common. We do note a group of boy dancers in the 1930s. Most Sri lanka schools require the children to wear school uniforms. here is no national uniform. Each school establish their own uniform and dress code rules. Often the casual clothes boys wear are outgrown school uniforms.

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Created: 12:56 AM 3/11/2008
Last updated: 3:47 AM 8/8/2008