National Flag of Sri Lanka

The National Flag of Sri Lanka, also known as the Lion Flag or Sinha Flag, was officially adopted on May 22, 1972. It has a rectangular shape with a 1:2 proportion. According to the Constitution of Sri Lanka, the national flag is designated as ‘The National Flag of the Republic of Sri Lanka shall be the Lion Flag’.

The central feature of the flag is a golden lion holding a (Kastane) sword in its right fore-paw. The lion is set against a maroon background. In each corner of the flag, there is a yellow (gold) Bo leaf. The flag also includes two vertical stripes: a green (teal) stripe on the left and an orange (saffron) stripe next to the lion. These stripes represent the Muslim and Tamil communities, respectively. The flag is bordered in yellow (gold).

Historical Background

The history of Sri Lanka’s flag dates back to ancient rulers. According to legend, Prince Vijaya, who arrived in Sri Lanka in the 5th century BC, is said to have used a lion flag. King Dutugemunu, a Sinhalese king, used a similar banner featuring a lion carrying a sword, alongside symbols of the Sun and the Moon.

Over the centuries, different kingdoms and regions in Sri Lanka used various flags and symbols. For example, Northern Tamil kings often used the bull (Nandi) as a symbol. During the colonial period, the influence of European powers altered local traditions, but the Lion Flag continued to be a key symbol of resistance, particularly in the Kingdom of Kandy, the last indigenous kingdom of Sri Lanka.

In the early 20th century, Sri Lanka’s independence movement revived the original Lion Flag. The flag was rediscovered at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, United Kingdom, during British rule. This discovery sparked renewed interest among the people, particularly when the first Prime Minister of Ceylon, D.S. Senanayake, hoisted it during the country’s independence ceremony on February 4, 1948.

In 1951, after a National Flag Committee was formed, the Lion Flag was modified to represent all ethnic communities in Sri Lanka. Two vertical stripes—one orange and one green—were added to represent the Tamil and Muslim communities, respectively. In 1972, the flag was further updated with the addition of four stylized Bo leaves in the corners, replacing the dagaba (Buddhist shrine). By 1978, the Bo leaves were made to appear more natural.

Symbolism of the Flag

The flag’s design holds deep symbolic meaning, reflecting Sri Lanka’s culture, history, and religious values:

• The Lion and Maroon Background: The lion represents the Sinhalese ethnicity, while the maroon background symbolizes the strength of the nation.
• Bo Leaves: These symbolize Buddhism and its four virtues: Kindness (Mettha), Compassion (Karuna), Equanimity (Upeksha), and Happiness (Muditha).
• The Sword: Represents the sovereignty of Sri Lanka.
• Orange Stripe: Represents the Tamil community.
• Green Stripe: Represents the Muslim community.
• Yellow Border: Symbolizes various minority communities, such as Burghers, Veddas, Kaffirs, etc.

Additional meanings have been attributed to finer details of the flag:

• Curly Hair on the Lion’s Head: Symbolizes religious observance, wisdom, and meditation.
• The Beard: Denotes purity of words.
• The Nose: Represents intelligence.
• Two Front Paws: Purity in handling wealth.
• Sword Handle: Represents the elements of water, fire, air, and earth.
• Eight Hairs on the Lion’s Tail: Symbolize the Noble Eight-fold Path in Buddhism, including right view, right speech, and right conduct.

Flag’s Color

The Sri Lankan flag features four main colors: maroon, yellow, orange, and green. These colors are also known by other names:

• Yellow is often referred to as gold or golden yellow.
• Maroon is sometimes called red.
• Orange is also known as saffron.
• Green is occasionally described as teal.

Current flag’s actual color scheme and color codes are as follows: