History of Sri Lankan Flag

The history of the Sri Lankan flag traces its roots back to ancient times, beginning with Prince Vijaya, who is believed to have arrived on the island from Sinhapura (the “Lion City”) in India around the 5th century BC. Since his reign, the lion symbol has played a significant role in the island’s history and political identity. Early Sinhalese kings, such as King Dutugemunu, carried a banner featuring a lion holding a sword in its right paw. This flag was also adorned with the Sun and Moon symbols.

Over time, different flags emerged in Sri Lanka. These included the tiger flag from the Chola dynasty, the fish flag from the Pandya dynasty, the bull flag from the Aryacakravarti dynasty (of the Jaffna Kingdom), the peacock flag from the Raigama Kingdom, and the crossed swords from Vanni chieftaincies. However, many historical flags, such as those of the Eastern Ganga dynasty and various local principalities, remain poorly documented.

European Colonization and Foreign Flags

With the arrival of European colonial powers, foreign flags began to dominate Sri Lanka. The Portuguese Empire flag flew during Portuguese rule. The Dutch East India Company flag was used during the Dutch colonial period. The Union Jack (Union Flag) and then the Flag of Ceylon’s Colonial Government from United Kingdom became the symbol of British rule. The last indigenous kingdom, the Kingdom of Kandy, continued to use the lion flag until it fell to the British on March 2, 1815. The lion flag was taken to England and stored at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London.

Rediscovery of the Lion Flag

After centuries of foreign rule, the design of the lion flag was forgotten by the Sri Lankan people. However, as the independence movement gained strength in the early 20th century, key political figures such as E.W. Perera, barrister & freedom fighter, and D.R. Wijewardena, media proprietor (Lake House) & independence movement supporter, rediscovered the original lion flag in London.

This revelation sparked renewed interest in the flag, particularly when a picture of the Kandyan flag was published in the Sinhala newspaper Dinamina in 1945. This publication marked the 100th anniversary of the loss of Sri Lanka’s independence, allowing the public to see the flag for the first time in centuries.

The Birth of the National Flag (1948)

Following Sri Lanka’s independence on February 4, 1948, the country needed a new national flag. Mudaliyar A. Sinnalebbe, a member of Parliament, proposed in Parliament on January 16, 1948 that the lion flag be adopted as the national flag of the Dominion of Ceylon.

On February 4, 1948, Ceylon became an independent nation, and the lion flag was hoisted by the first Prime Minister, D. S. Senanayake. The flag featured a yellow lion holding a sword in its right paw, set against a dark crimson red background with a yellow border. The design also included four pinnacles of Buddhist dagoba (spires similar to those on the tops of stupa) in the flag’s corners.

Addressing Minority Concerns (1951)

However, many minority communities, including Tamils and Muslims, felt that this flag represented only the Sinhalese majority. To address these concerns, a National Flag Committee (NFC) was formed by the Prime Minister, D.S. Senanayake under the chairmanship of S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, Minister of Health and Local Government.

The committee’s report was presented on 27 February, 1951 in the House of Representatives, which proposed changes to the flag. There was two-day discussion on the report on 1st and 2nd of March 1951, and the report was accepted on 2nd March 1951. The final design included two vertical bands — orange for the Tamil community and green for the Muslim community — alongside the original lion and Buddhist symbols. Therefore, the widths of the stripes became 1: 1: 5. However, the flag’s proportions, internal dimensions and technical specification of colors were not detailed. This modification ensured that two major ethnic groups in Sri Lanka were represented on the flag.

The 1972 Modifications: The Bo Leaves

Further modifications were made in 1972 when name Ceylon officially became Sri Lanka. The flag was updated again on May 22, 1972. It included four Bo leaves in the corners, replacing the dagoba pinnacles. The Bo tree is a symbol of Buddhism. And, the leaves represented the four virtues of Buddhism: kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. Nissanka Parakrama Wijeyeratne, Chairman of the National Emblem and Flag Design Committee, was in-charge for the modification.

The Final Redesign in 1978

On September 7, 1978, the design of the Bo leaves was further refined to appear more natural. This final redesign gave the flag its current form, which has remained unchanged since then.