Page 206 - (DK) Complete Flags of the World

Asia

Sri Lanka

Ratio: 1:2 Adopted: December 17, 1978 Usage: National and Civil

Green
represents The four
Muslims pipul leaves
are Buddhist
symbols
Orange
represents
Hindus

The sword is a
symbol of authority

Asia
)NDIA The island of Ceylon was a British colony
until independence in 1948. It became a republic
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under the name Sri Lanka in 1972.
The original flag of Sri Lanka groups, so vertical bands of green,
featured just the lion and sword for Muslims, and orange, for the
on a red field, recalling that the Hindu Tamils, were added in 1951.
Sinhalese word for lion—“Sinhala”— When the country’s name
is the basis of the island’s name. The changed from Ceylon to Sri Lanka
flag’s yellow border symbolized the in 1972, four leaves were added.
protection of the nation by They denote the tree under which
Buddhism. Siddhartha sat when he received
The flag was derived from the flag enlightenment and became the
of the Sinhalese kingdom of Kandy. Buddha. This version of the flag
It proved unpopular with minority was in official use from 1978.

FLAG OF KANDY
The “Lion Flag” was the The finials are derived
national flag of Ceylon from the spire on top of
prior to 1815 when it a Buddhist temple
became a British colony

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