National symbols of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka
^a.	ශ්‍රී ලංකා - Sri Lanka in Sinhala, one of the official languages.
^b.	இலங்கை - Sri Lanka in Tamil, one of the official languages.

The National symbols of Sri Lanka are the symbols that represent the country and its people within Sri Lanka and abroad as well as the traditions, culture, history and geography. The national symbols of Sri Lanka are national anthem, national flag, national emblem, national flower, national tree, national bird, national butterfly, national gemstone and national sport. They were picked up and officially announced at various times. There are also several other symbols that do not have official acknowledgment or announced as national symbols, but consider as national symbol at local level.^[1][2]

The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka sets out the National Flag, the National Anthem, the National Day and the National language.^[3] The constitution was promulgated by the National State Assembly on 7 September 1978. On 14 November 1987 the Sri Lankan Parliament passed the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka, which made both Sinhala and Tamil the National language.^[4]

National symbols

Title	Symbol	Media	Notes
National anthem	National anthem of Sri Lanka		National anthem of Sri Lanka or Sri Lanka Matha was written and tuned by Rabindranath Tagore.[5] and it was later composed by Ananda Samarakoon in 1940 before the independence from British. In 1951, it became the national anthem of Sri Lanka.[6][7] Firstly, it was written in Sinhalese and translated to Tamil. First performance of the anthem was held in the fourth anniversary of independence day on February 4, 1952.[1]
National flag	Flag of Sri Lanka		The National flag of Sri Lanka consists of a lion that holding a sword in its right fore paw by representing the Sinhalese people and first king. Dark red/maroon background represents Buddhist symbol. Four golden/yellow bo leaves, one in each corner represents Four Noble Truths. Around the background is a yellow border that represents Buddhist monk’s community. On the left side, two vertical stripes in green and saffron represent Moors and Tamil communities.[8] The current flag was adopted in 1950.[2]
National emblem	National Emblem of Sri Lanka		The national emblem of Sri Lanka uses by Sri Lankan government in connection with the administration purpose and government of the country. The current republican emblem has been adopt in 1972 after the country was declared as a republic state.[1] The emblem has a lion, holding a sword in its right fore paw on a maroon background encircled with petals of a blue Lotus. Also it features bunch of paddy, grain vase (punkalasa), dhammachakka, sun and moon.[9]
National language	Sinhala & Tamil		The National languages of Sri Lanka are Sinhala and Tamil.[10] As per Chapter IV (Language), Article 19 of Constitution of Sri Lanka Sinhala and Tamil have been recognized as national languages.[11]
National flower	Water lily (Nymphaeaceae)		The water lily was declared the national flower of Sri Lanka on 26 February 1986.[12] It found all the part of Sri Lanka and grows in the shallow water. The flower is considered a symbol of truth, purity and discipline. It has connection with Buddha and uses as ceremonial flower in Sri Lanka throughout history.[13] Stamp with a purple lily flower was issued to commemorate the national flower.[14]
National tree	Ceylon ironwood (Mesua ferrea)		Ceylon ironwood was declared the national tree on 26 February 1986. It was chosen as the national tree due to its native in Sri Lanka, utility, historic & cultural importance, exterior posture, wide distribution, color & nature and ability to draw & sketch it easily.[2] Theravada Buddhism considers this tree for achieved enlightenment.[15] The tree was utilized for various purpose since the old time.[16]
National bird	Sri Lankan junglefowl (Gallus lafayetii)		Sri Lankan junglefowl was declared as a national bird. The colorful bird is endemic to Sri Lanka and commonly found in national parks, jungle and dense scrub. It is an endemic bird of Sri Lanka.[17][18]
National butterfly	Sri Lankan Birdwing (Troides darsius)		Sri Lankan Birdwing is endemic to Sri Lanka and was declared as the national butterfly with the connection of butterfly conservation action plan. The largest Sri Lankan butterfly was categorized as flagship species due to its wide distribution. It has glossy black and bright yellow colors and attractive pattern.[19][20]
National gemstone	Blue Sapphire		The blue sapphire has been declared the national gemstone of Sri Lanka in October 2003. Postage stamp worth of LKR 4.50 issued on 2 October 2003 to mark the announcement. Sri Lanka is famous for blue sapphires, especially for largest sapphires.[21]
National sport	Volleyball		The volleyball officially has been recognized as the national sport of Sri Lanka in 1991.[22] The sport was introduced in 1916 to Sri Lanka. However, there is an opinion that Sri Lanka was playing a similar sport before introduction of volleyball.[23] Elle had recognition as a national sport before volleyball.[24]

Unofficial

Here are list of national symbols that have no official status.

Title	Symbol	Media	Notes
National animal
	Sri Lankan elephant (Elephas maximus maximus)		There is no official national animal in Sri Lanka even though the elephant, lion, and grizzled giant squirrel are locally considered as such. Lions are the most celebrated animal for Sinhalese people, symbolising heraldry. The Sri Lankan lion is a prehistoric subspecies of lion.[25]
	Lion (Panthera leo)
National monument	Independence Memorial Hall		Independence Memorial Hall is an iconic structure commemorating the independence of Sri Lanka from the British rule. Named "Magul Maduwa" (Celebration Hall), its structure is based on the Royal Audience Hall of the Kingdom of Kandy, the last kingdom that fell to colonial occupation in the island. It also known as Independence Commemoration Hall and Independence Commemoration Hall.[26][27]
National dress	Sarong/Dhoti & shirt (men) Sari (women)		Sri Lanka does not acknowledge any national dress since there are three major communities and a few minor communities. Commonly, men's traditional dress is sarong/dhoti & shirt and women's traditional dress is a sari. The three major communities (Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims) have significant differences in their regional differences although the majority of them wear western dress today.[28][29]
National dish	Rice and curry		Rice and curry is a popular dish in Sri Lanka. The dish has fully cooked rice with curry dishes such as vegetable or non-vegetable.[30][31]

See also

• Outline of Sri Lanka
• Timeline of Sri Lankan history
• Lists of national symbols

Further reading

• Wimalaratne, K. D. G. (2006). National Symbols of Sri Lanka. Keshawa Publishers & Distributors. p. 40. ISBN 9789551277093.

References

1. "The identity of Mother Lanka". Sunday Observer. 29 January 2012. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
2. Wimalaratne, K D G (2013). National Symbols Of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka: Sarasavi Publishers. ISBN 9553101194.
3. "Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka". PressInform. Data and Information Unit of the Presidential Secretariat. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
4. Martyn, Sabina (16 January 2013). "In Post-Conflict Sri Lanka, Language is Essential for Reconciliation". Asia foundation. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
5. "Celebrating Rabindranath Tagore's legacy". The Hindu. May 18, 2011. Retrieved December 1, 2014.
6. Bandaranayake, Senake (1996). Ivan Peries paintings, 1938–88. Colombo: Tamarind Publications. ISBN 9559458000. page 155
7. "Man of the series: Nobel laureate Tagore". The Times Of India. Apr 3, 2011. Retrieved December 1, 2014.
8. "National Symbols". Embassy of Sri Lanka in Russia. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
9. "Sri Lanka Country Information". Sri Lankan Consulate in Los Angeles. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
10. "Official Languages". Department of Official Languages. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
11. "Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Ch-V,19". Government of Sri Lanka. 1978. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
12. "National symbols of Sri Lanka". Government of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
13. "National flower". Retrieved 2 December 2014.
14. Hettiarachchi, Kumudini (7 November 2010). "The ‘great pretender’". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). Retrieved 2 December 2014.
15. Epasinghe, Premasara (21 November 2013). "Initial Buddhist missionary activities". Daily News (Sri Lanka). Retrieved 2 December 2014.
16. "Notes on the Geography of Sri Lanka: Embekke". The Great Mirror. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
17. "Country Overview". Government of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
18. "Ceylon junglefowl – National Bird of the country". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). Retrieved 2 December 2014.
19. Rodrigo, Malaka (March 28, 2010). "Sri Lanka names its national butterfly". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). Retrieved 2 December 2014.
20. "National Butterfly". Daily News (Sri Lanka). March 25, 2010. Retrieved December 2, 2014 – via HighBeam Research. (subscription required (help)).
21. "Blue Sapphire – the national gemstone". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). Retrieved 2 December 2014.
22. "Volleyball – The national game of Sri Lanka". Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
23. Marikar, Hafiz (12 June 2014). "How volleyball came into being". Daily News (Sri Lanka). Retrieved 2 December 2014.
24. "Volleyball, Sri Lanka’s National Sport". The Island (Sri Lanka). September 10, 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
25. "Panthera leo". International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
26. "Independence Memorial Hall". The Nation (Sri Lanka). 2 February 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
27. "Independence Square". Colombo Guide. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
28. "National Dress". My Sri Lanka. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
29. "Sri Lanka Traditional Dress". Retrieved 30 January 2015.
30. "Sri Lanka Rice & Curry". Go Lanka. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
31. "Discover the many flavours of Sri Lanka". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 30 January 2015.