Sri Lanka Flag and Meaning

by countryaah · Published August 11, 2020 · Updated December 18, 2024

Flag of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Flag Meaning

The flag of Sri Lanka, also known as the Lion Flag, is a rich and vibrant symbol of the nation’s cultural heritage, historical struggles, and religious diversity. The current design was adopted on December 17, 1978, though its origins trace back to the island’s long history. The flag features a golden lion holding a sword in its right paw, a symbolic representation of the country’s Sinhalese majority, while the flag also incorporates four corner symbols that represent Sri Lanka’s diverse ethnic groups. The background is a combination of maroon, green, and orange, and the lion is set against a maroon field.

The maroon background is surrounded by a yellow border, and the flag also features two vertical green and orange stripes on the left side of the flag. The green stripe represents the Muslim population, while the orange stripe represents the Tamil minority. The lion at the center, with its sword, is a symbol of the Sinhalese ethnic group, and the overall flag reflects Sri Lanka’s multiethnic and multi-religious society.

The lion symbol is a prominent feature of Sri Lankan identity, symbolizing strength, courage, and pride. The various colors and the overall design reflect the diverse cultures, religions, and ethnicities of Sri Lanka, and the flag serves as a unifying emblem for the people of the island nation.

Flag Dimensions and Proportions

The dimensions of the Sri Lankan flag follow the traditional ratio of 2:3, meaning that the length of the flag is 1.5 times its height. This proportional ratio is standard for many national flags, ensuring that the design remains symmetrical and balanced.

The flag is made up of two distinct sections. The right section, which features the lion and maroon field, takes up a significant portion of the flag, while the left section is made up of the green and orange vertical stripes. The proportions of the flag reflect both the symbolic significance of the lion and the importance of the ethnic minorities in Sri Lanka, represented by the green and orange sections.

The size of the lion and the sword, which occupy the central portion of the flag, are designed to stand out clearly, making it one of the most recognizable features of the flag. The yellow border that surrounds the maroon background adds to the visual appeal and helps to frame the elements within the flag, providing a sense of balance. The flag’s dimensions ensure that each of these symbols and colors are displayed proportionally, reinforcing their significance in the design.

Colors of the Flag

The colors of the Sri Lankan flag hold deep meaning, representing the country’s cultural, historical, and religious diversity. The flag uses a combination of maroon, gold, green, orange, and yellow, each of which carries specific symbolism.

Maroon: The primary background color of the flag is maroon, which signifies the Sinhalese majority of Sri Lanka. Maroon is often associated with strength, courage, and pride, reflecting the historical significance of the Sinhalese people in Sri Lankan society. The lion, which symbolizes the Sinhalese ethnicity, is set against this maroon field, reinforcing the identity of the Sinhalese community as the dominant group in the country.
Gold (Yellow): The border surrounding the maroon field is gold (or yellow), symbolizing the country’s heritage, history, and Buddhist traditions. Yellow is also associated with the country’s unity, prosperity, and the commitment to harmony among Sri Lanka’s diverse people. The golden color surrounding the maroon field helps highlight the lion symbol and serves as a visual frame for the flag, emphasizing its elements.
Green: The green stripe on the left side of the flag represents the Muslim community in Sri Lanka, which forms a significant portion of the population. Green is traditionally associated with Islam and is often used to signify peace and prosperity. The green section of the flag is meant to acknowledge and honor the Muslim community, while also symbolizing the country’s broader commitment to coexistence and unity.
Orange: The orange stripe on the left of the flag represents the Tamil ethnic group, which is one of the largest minority communities in Sri Lanka. The color orange symbolizes the Tamil people’s connection to their cultural heritage, their contributions to the country, and their pursuit of equality and justice. The orange section helps to underline the importance of ethnic harmony and inclusiveness in the national identity of Sri Lanka.
White: White, present in the inner corner of the flag around the lion’s sword, symbolizes peace, harmony, and the potential for all ethnic groups in Sri Lanka to live in unity and prosperity. It emphasizes the importance of cooperation between the Sinhalese, Tamil, and Muslim communities and highlights the desire for a peaceful future.

The interplay of these colors on the flag represents Sri Lanka’s multiethnic, multi-religious society. While the lion and maroon background highlight the Sinhalese majority, the green and orange stripes ensure that the minority Tamil and Muslim communities are equally represented, reinforcing the country’s commitment to inclusivity and unity.

Symbols on the Flag

The Sri Lankan flag is rich with symbolism, with each element carrying specific meanings that relate to the nation’s cultural, ethnic, and religious identity. The primary symbol on the flag is the golden lion with a sword, which represents the Sinhalese majority, while the four corner symbols represent the country’s religious and ethnic diversity.

The Lion and Sword

The lion at the center of the flag is the most significant and prominent symbol. It represents the Sinhalese people, the majority ethnic group in Sri Lanka. The lion is a traditional symbol of courage, strength, and leadership, and in Sri Lankan culture, it has long been associated with the Sinhala people, who trace their heritage back to the Indian subcontinent. The lion also reflects the island’s long history of kingship, power, and sovereignty.

The sword held by the lion in its right paw is another important element. It symbolizes the protection of the country’s sovereignty, strength, and readiness to defend its independence. The sword also signifies the power of the Sinhalese kings who ruled the island for centuries and reflects the pride and courage of the Sri Lankan people in their fight for freedom and sovereignty.

The Four Corner Symbols

In addition to the lion, the four symbols in the corners of the flag are highly significant and represent Sri Lanka’s diverse ethnic and religious communities. These symbols are placed in the upper-left and lower-left corners, as well as the upper-right and lower-right corners of the flag. Each corner symbol consists of a golden floral motif with a stylized design that represents one of the following elements:

The Four Symbols: The four symbols in the corners of the flag represent the four major elements of Sri Lankan society—Buddhism, the majority Sinhalese community, the Tamil minority, and the Muslim minority. These corner symbols help reinforce the unity of the nation and remind citizens of the importance of coexistence and peace.

The Green and Orange Stripes

The green stripe represents Sri Lanka’s Muslim population, while the orange stripe represents the Tamil ethnic group. These stripes are important because they serve as a reminder of the country’s commitment to protecting the rights and acknowledging the contributions of its ethnic minorities. While the lion represents the Sinhalese majority, these stripes visually indicate that Sri Lanka recognizes its diverse communities and is committed to their inclusion in the national narrative.

Cultural and National Identity

The flag of Sri Lanka embodies the country’s cultural and national identity, representing both its historical struggles and its aspirations for unity, peace, and prosperity. The lion and sword are central symbols that reflect the country’s Sinhalese majority, which has been the dominant ethnic group for much of Sri Lanka’s history. The lion’s role as the country’s central symbol highlights the significance of Sinhalese heritage, monarchy, and sovereignty in shaping Sri Lanka’s identity.

However, the flag’s design also emphasizes the multiethnic and multi-religious nature of Sri Lanka. The green and orange stripes honor the Muslim and Tamil communities, respectively, ensuring that all of Sri Lanka’s diverse populations are represented on the national flag. This design reflects the island’s rich cultural tapestry and its commitment to fostering an inclusive and peaceful society, where multiple ethnic and religious communities can coexist harmoniously.

The flag’s incorporation of Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, and Christian communities within its symbolism speaks to the religious diversity that characterizes Sri Lankan society. The Sri Lankan flag is a unifying emblem, symbolizing the coexistence and peaceful collaboration between all of these communities.

The country’s history of colonialism, civil conflict, and independence is reflected in the symbolism of the flag. The lion, representing Sinhalese pride and the struggle for sovereignty, symbolizes both the pain and the strength of the nation. At the same time, the inclusion of the green and orange stripes represents the country’s desire for unity among all ethnic groups and religious communities, with a focus on healing past divisions and building a more inclusive future.

In national celebrations, the flag serves as a visual representation of Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and its cultural heritage. It is prominently displayed on state occasions, public holidays, and during international events, where it evokes feelings of patriotism and national pride among Sri Lankans. Whether flying at government buildings or national monuments, the Sri Lankan flag is a constant reminder of the country’s long history, its present challenges, and its hope for a unified and peaceful future.

Sri Lanka Overview

Population	19.2 million
currency	Sri Lankan rupees
Area	65,610 km²
Capital city	Colombo
Population density	288.0 residents/km²
HDI location	91

Island residents the Indian Ocean, southeast of India, separated from the subcontinent by the Palk Canal. Except for a mountainous zone residents the central part of the country, the landscape is flat. The mountains divide the country into two clearly separated zones and act as a barrier to the monsoon winds, which have a decisive influence on the country’s tropical climate. The southwest corner of the country thus receives much rainfall, while the rest of the country is drier. Huge tea plantations line the southern slopes of the mountains. residents addition, rice is produced (for the country’s own consumption) as well as raw rubber, coconuts and cocoa for export. Deforestation of soil erosion is two serious environmental problems. Furthermore, air pollution is rising as a result of smoke from the factories.

The people: Sri Lanka’s population is predominantly Sinhalese (74%); the largest minority are Tamils (18%) followed by Arabs (7.7%).

Religion: Buddhists (69.3%); Hindus (15.5%); Muslims (7.6%); Christians (7.5%); others (0.1%).

Languages: Sinhalese (official), Tamil and English

Political parties: United National Party (Siri Kotha, SK); The Party of Sri Lanka’s Freedom; The United National Democratic Front; Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF); Communist Party; Equality Party (Lanka Sama Samaja); Democratic People’s Party (Mahajana Prajathantra); The National Front for Liberation (Janata Vimuktui Peramuna, JVP); People’s Alliance.

Social organizations: the Workers’ Congress; The Professional Federation; The Professional Council; Arbejderføderationen

Official Name: Sri Lanka Prajathanthrika Samajavadi Janarajaya (Sri Lanka Democratic Socialist Republic).

Administrative division: 9 provinces and 24 districts

Capital: Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte (Administrative Capital), 115,000 residents (2003); Largest city: Colombo, 5,648,000 (2006).

Other important cities: Dehiwala-Mount Lavina, 218,500 residents; Moratuwa, 204,500 residents; Maha Nuwara, 150,700 residents (2000).

Government: Maithripala Sirisena, President, Head of State and Government, elected residents January 2015. Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister since January 2015. Parliament has one chamber – the National Assembly – with 225 seats.

National Day: February 4 (Independence, 1948)

Armed Forces: 125,300 Soldiers (1995)

Paramilitary forces: 70,000 (Police, National Guard, Private Guard)