Sri Lanka’s national flag features a golden lion holding a sword on a maroon field, four golden bo leaves in the corners, and vertical orange and green bands at the hoist.

What does the Sri Lanka flag look like?

The lion panel occupies most of the flag and is surrounded by a gold border. Narrow orange and green vertical stripes sit between the lion panel and the hoist.

What do the symbols mean?

The lion is a historic symbol of the Sinhalese people and Sri Lankan statehood. The sword represents sovereignty. The bo leaves refer to Buddhism and values traditionally associated with compassion and virtue. The orange and green stripes represent important minority communities.

History of the flag

The modern flag developed from the royal banner of the Kingdom of Kandy. A lion flag returned at independence in 1948, minority stripes were added in 1951 and the corner symbols were later changed to bo leaves. The present form dates from the republican era.

Sri Lanka flag facts

• Main symbol: lion with sword
• Bo leaves: four
• Minority bands: orange and green
• Historic origin: Kandyan royal banner