Flag of Sri Lanka
countryThe flag of Sri Lanka was adopted on September 7, 1978. Golden lion with a sword on maroon, with green and orange bands and bo leaves. It uses 4 colours: maroon, gold, green and orange. The official proportions are 1:2.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Sri Lanka |
|---|---|
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Official Country Name | Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka |
| Capital | Colombo |
| Continent | Asia |
| Region | Southern Asia |
| ISO Country Code | LK / LKA |
| Internet Domain | .lk, .இலங்கை, .ලංකා |
| Calling Code | +94 |
| Currency | Sri Lankan rupee (LKR) |
| National Language(s) | Sinhala, Tamil |
| Demonym | Sri Lankan |
| Area | 65,610 km² |
| Population | 23 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Sri Lanka |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | September 7, 1978 |
| First Used | 1948 |
| Current Version Adopted | September 7, 1978 |
| Flag Proportion | 1:2 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 4 |
| Main Colors | Maroon, Gold, Green, Orange |
| Design Type | Golden lion with a sword on maroon, with green and orange bands and bo leaves |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Sri Lanka |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maroon | #8D2029 | 141, 32, 41 | 0, 77, 71, 45 | |
| Gold | #FFBE29 | 255, 190, 41 | 0, 25, 84, 0 | |
| Green | #00534E | 0, 83, 78 | 100, 0, 6, 67 | |
| Orange | #EB7400 | 235, 116, 0 | 0, 51, 100, 8 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Maroon colour | Represents the Sinhalese majority |
|---|---|
| Gold colour | Represents the border, lion and leaves |
| Green colour | Represents the Muslim minority |
| Orange colour | Represents the Tamil minority |
| Lion with sword | The Sinhala people and the authority of the nation — Sri Lanka is often called the Lion Flag |
| Four bo leaves | The four Buddhist virtues of loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1948 | The design was first used |
| 1978-09-07 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 1:2 |
|---|---|
| Width | 1 units (hoist) |
| Length | 2 units (fly) |
Sri Lanka Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
| National Holidays | Yes |
| Military | Yes |
| Naval Use | Yes |
| Embassies | Yes |
| International Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Sri Lanka
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 48 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | September 7, 1978 |
| Oldest Version | 1948 |
| Flag Nickname | The Lion Flag |
| Most Common Color | Maroon |
| Similar Flags | Aruba, Bangladesh, Belize |
| Unique Feature | Golden lion with a sword on maroon, with green and orange bands and bo leaves |
Other plain field with a central emblem flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Sri Lanka
- The lion holds a kastane, a traditional Sinhalese sword, in its right forepaw, and four bo leaves mark the corners of the maroon panel.
- The two vertical bands at the hoist were added in 1951 to represent the Tamil and Muslim communities, making the flag an explicit statement about who the country contains.
- The design descends from the royal standard of the Kingdom of Kandy, which was taken down when the British annexed the kingdom in 1815 and revived at independence.
- The flag of Sri Lanka was officially adopted on September 7, 1978.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1948, 30 years before it was formally made the flag of Sri Lanka.
- The flag in its present form is 48 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Golden lion with a sword on maroon, with green and orange bands and bo leaves.
- The flag is known as The Lion Flag, a name used far more often than the formal "flag of Sri Lanka".
- The official proportions are 1:2. It shares that ratio with 54 national flags.
- The flag uses 4 colours: maroon, gold, green and orange.
- The maroon on the flag stands for the Sinhalese majority.
- The gold on the flag stands for the border, lion and leaves.
- The green on the flag stands for the Muslim minority.
- Lion with sword: The Sinhala people and the authority of the nation — Sri Lanka is often called the Lion Flag.
- Four bo leaves: The four Buddhist virtues of loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity.
- The design belongs to the "Plain field with a central emblem" family, shared with 70 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Aruba, Bangladesh and Belize.
- Sri Lanka became independent on 4 February 1948 from the United Kingdom.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Sri Lanka
When was the flag of Sri Lanka adopted?
The flag of Sri Lanka was officially adopted on September 7, 1978, though the design had already been in use since 1948.
What do the colours of the flag of Sri Lanka mean?
Maroon for the Sinhalese majority, gold for the border, lion and leaves, green for the Muslim minority and orange for the Tamil minority.
When did Sri Lanka gain independence?
Sri Lanka became independent on 4 February 1948 from the United Kingdom. The country was renamed from Ceylon to Sri Lanka in 1972 when it became a republic.
What is the national sport of Sri Lanka?
Volleyball is the official national sport; cricket is by far the most popular.
What do the symbols on the flag of Sri Lanka represent?
Lion with sword — The Sinhala people and the authority of the nation — Sri Lanka is often called the Lion Flag. Four bo leaves — The four Buddhist virtues of loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity.
What are the proportions of the flag of Sri Lanka?
The official ratio is 1:2, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 54 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Sri Lanka?
The national anthem is "Sri Lanka Matha".
When is the national day of Sri Lanka?
It falls on 4 February, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Sri Lanka?
The national animal is the Sri Lankan lion, the animal on the flag itself, with the junglefowl as national bird.
What is the capital of Sri Lanka?
The capital is Colombo. The currency is the Sri Lankan rupee (LKR) and the language spoken is Sinhala, Tamil.