School uniforms in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...

were first introduced in the late 19th century. Today, school uniforms are almost universal in the Sri Lankan public and private school systems. All public and private schools maintains almost a singular uniform design in the color of white with few individual characteristics for boys and a few variation designs in white for girls.

Usage

Introduced during the British rule the school uniforms has changed very little over the decades. In recent decades it has been practice of the government to issue free uniform marital to students annually, which is useful for poor children.

In public and private schools boys from grade 10 (age 15 years) where white short selves shirt

Shirt

A shirt is a cloth garment for the upper body. Originally an undergarment worn exclusively by men, it has become, in American English, a catch-all term for almost any garment other than outerwear such as sweaters, coats, jackets, or undergarments such as bras, vests or base layers...

s with white trousers. While boys of grade 9 and below where either blue or white short

Short

Short may refer to:* Short circuit, an accidental connection between two nodes of an electrical circuit* Short , stock-trading position* Short film, a cinema format* Short subject, a cinema format used almost interchangeably with short film...

s, however blue is more common with white reserved for special occasions or junior prefect

Prefect

Prefect is a magisterial title of varying definition....

s. On formal occasions depending on school traditions boys may wear white long selves shirts with their school tie (denoting school flag colors) and suit jacket. Use of jackets vary from school to school with students of most old schools wearing white suit jacket in line with the tropical dress code. Sportsmen of these schools may wear dark blue suit jackets and coloursmen wearing a uniform of design unique to the school he belongs too. However unique features are maintained by prominent single sex schools, which may include badges or insignia.

Girls uniforms may differ slightly from school to school, and religious affiliation of students. However all uniforms are white in color and some may include a tie. For formal occasions depending on school traditions suit jackets of different colors are warn by female students.

Since the start of international schools in the 1980's, uniforms of different color and design have been adapted by these schools.

Cultural significance

Various schools are known for their particular uniforms. Uniforms can have a nostalgic characteristic for former students, and is often associated with relatively carefree youth. Uniforms are rarely modified by students as a means of exhibiting individualism, since high discipline standards are maintained by prominent schools with reference to uniforms.