Sri Lanka Flag

Flag History

yellow with two panels; the smaller hoist-side panel has two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and orange; the other larger panel depicts a yellow lion holding a sword on a maroon rectangular field that also displays a yellow bo leaf in each corner; the yellow field appears as a border around the entire flag and extends between the two panels; the lion represents Sinhalese ethnicity, the strength of the nation, and bravery; the sword demonstrates the sovereignty of the nation; the four bo leaves - symbolizing Buddhism and its influence on the country - stand for the four virtues of kindness, friendliness, happiness, and equanimity; orange signifies Sri Lankan Tamils, green Sri Lankan Moors, and maroon the Sinhalese majority; yellow denotes other ethnic groups; also referred to as the Lion Flag

Flag Date of Adoption

7 September 1978

Flag Symbolism

lion, water lily; national colors: maroon, yellow

Sri Lanka National Anthem

Listen to National Anthem
Anthem Lyrics

Sri Lanka Matha


Apa Sri Lanka Namo Namo Namo Namo Matha


Sundara siri barini surandi athi soba mana Lanka


Dhanya dhanaya neka mal palathuru piri jaya bhoomiya


Ramya


Apa hata sapa siri setha sadhana jeevanaye matha


Piliganumanu apa bhakthi pooja Namo Namo Matha


Apa Sri Lanka Namo Namo Namo Namo Matha


Obave apa vidya


Obamaya apa sathya


Obave apa shakthi


Apa hada thula bhakthi


Oba apa aloke


Apage anu prane


Oba apa jeevanave


Apa mukthiya obave


Nava jeevana demine nithina apa pubudu karan matha


Gnana veerya vadawamina ragana yanu mana jaya bhoomi


kara


Eka mawakage daru kala bawina


Yamu yamu wee nopama


Prema wada sama bheda dhurarada


Namo Namo Matha


Apa Sri Lanka Namo Namo Namo Namo Matha

Anthem Lyrics English

1.


Mother Lanka we worship Thee!


Plenteous in prosperity, Thou,


Beauteous in grace and love,


Laden with corn and luscious fruit


And fragrant flowers of radiant hue,


Giver of life and all good things,


Our land of joy and victory,


Receive our grateful praise sublime,


Lanka! we worship Thee.





2.


Thou gavest us Knowledge and Truth,


Thou art our strength and inward faith,


Our light divine and sentient being,


Breath of life and liberation.


Grant us, bondage free, inspiration.


Inspire us for ever.


In wisdom and strength renewed,


Ill-will, hatred, strife all ended,


In love enfolded, a mighty nation


Marching onward, all as one,


Lead us, Mother, to fullest freedom.

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