Sri Lanka

3×5' nylon national flag of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's Lion Flag descends from the banner of the last Sinhalese kings of Kandy. To it were added two stripes and four leaves, so that the flag speaks for all of the island's communities and faiths.

Design

A gold border encloses two panels. At the hoist are two vertical stripes, green and saffron. The larger panel is maroon, with a gold lion holding a sword and a gold bo leaf in each corner.

History & Symbolism

The lion flag was adopted in 1948 at independence; the green and saffron stripes were added in the early 1950s for the Muslim and Tamil communities, and the bo leaves in 1972. The lion stands for the Sinhalese people and for bravery, its sword for the sovereignty of the nation. The four bo leaves stand for the Buddhist virtues of loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity. The gold border stands for the unity of all.

Flag Specifications

• Adopted: 1948; current form 22 May 1972
• Official proportions: 1:2
• Colors: maroon, gold, green, saffron
• Emblem: lion with sword and four bo leaves

Vexillographer's Note

The lion faces the hoist. It is among the most intricate figures on any national flag, and a crude lion is the surest sign of a poor reproduction.

Humphrys Flag Company · Old City Philadelphia · Est. 1864