ABOUT SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka as a tourist destination, offers a traveler a remarkable and unique combination of stunning landscapes, pristine beaches and captivating cultural heritage. Within a mere area of 65,610 square kilometers are eight (8) UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 1,330 kilometers of coastline-much of it pristine beach-15 national parks showcasing an abundance of wildlife, nearly 500,000 acres of lush tea estates, 250 acres of botanical gardens, 350 waterfalls and 25,000 water bodies.
The Island of Sri Lanka referred, to as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, was known as Serendib, Taprobane and Ceylon at different points of time in its long history.
National Flag of Sri Lanka
The necessity of a National Flag was discussed even before Sri Lanka gained independence on 04 February 1948. Mr. A. Sinnalebbe, MP for Batticaloa tabled a motion in the State Council on 16 January 1948 suggesting that the Lion Flag of King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe which was taken to Britain in 1815 should be made the National Flag. This was debated and later Prime Minister Rt. Hon. D.S. Senanayake named an Advisory Committee with Mr. S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike (Chairman), Sir John Kotalawela, Mr. J.R. Jayewardene, Mr. T.B. Jayah, Dr. L.A. Rajapakse, Mr. G.G. Ponnambalam and Senetor S. Nadesan.
Although a Committee for the formulation of a national flag was appointed no finality had been reached when the first Independence Day was celebrated on 04 February 1948. However, the Lion Flag fluttered on that day. The Lion Flag and the British Union Jack fluttered on the occasion of the opening of the first Parliament of Independent Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) on 19 February 1948. Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake unfurled the Lion Flag at the Octagon (Pattirippuwa) during the independence celebration held in Kandy on 12 February 1948.
The National Flag recommended by the special committee was presented to Parliament by Mr. D.S. Senanayake on 02 March 1951 and adopted. It had two stripes, green representing Muslims and the orange representing Tamils. Each of these stripes had to be equal to one seventh the size of the flag.
When Sri Lanka was first made a Republic in 1972, the traditional Bo leaves depicted in the National Flag were changed to resemble natural Bo leaves. This amended flag was first unfurled at the Republic Day celebration held on 22 May 1972. The National Flag is incorporated in Section 6 Second Schedule of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka of 09 September 1978.
Except for the new Bo leaves the present flag is the same flag recommended by the National Flag Formulation Committee on 02 March 1951.
National Emblem of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka used the British emblem when it was a British Crown Colony, and continued to use it even after gaining independence in 1948. According to the recommendations of a select committee appointed to devise a state emblem more suitable for Sri Lanka, the (Ceylon) they opted for a new State Emblem. It had a Lion with Sword in its right fore paw encircled with a ‘Palapethi’ design a top. Below there was a strip carrying the country’s name in Sinhala, Tamil and English.
A new republican emblem was chosen after the country was declared a Republic on May 22, 1972. In addition to the lion with a sword and the ‘Palapethi’ design it portrays the punkalasa’, dhammachakka, sun, moon and two cheaves of paddy.
National Flower of Sri Lanka
The Nil Mahanel flower was declared the National Flower of Sri Lanka on February 26, 1986. Its botanical name is ‘Nympheae Stellata’. This flower is mentioned in many Sinhala, Pali and Sanskrit Literary works. The flower which is also referred to as “Kuvalaya”, “Indheewara”, “Niluppala”, “Nilothpala” and “Nilupul” occupies a pre eminent position in Buddhist literature too. It is said the ‘Nil Mahanel Flower’ was among the 108 ceremonial designs found on the footprint of Prince Siddhartha. This proves that it had been a ceremonial flower throughout history. It is believed that the damsels depicted in Sigiriya Frescoes also carry the Nil Mahanel flower in their hands. Traditional poetry known as “Sandesa Kavya” likens women’s eyes to the Nil Mahanel flower which has also been used as an ear ornament.
The Nil Mahanel plant which grows in shallow waters is found in all parts of the country. The flower which is purplish blue in colour has a heavy concentration of petals in the centre. The Nil Mahanel flower is also considered a symbol of truth, purity and discipline.
National Tree of Sri Lanka
A proposal made to declare the Na Tree as the National Tree was adopted by the Cabinet on February 26, 1986. Socially and culturally Sri Lanka has been closely associated with the Na Tree for centuries. It was chosen as the National Tree for 7 reasons.
(1) It is a tree which originated in Sri Lanka;
(2) Its utility;
(3) Historic and Cultural importance;
(4) Exterior posture;
(5) Wide distribution;
(6) Colour and nature;
(7) Ability to draw and sketch it easily.
Botanically it is called “Mesua Nagassarium” and in English it is called the Iron Wood tree. An indigenous tree it is also grown in parks because of its majestic beauty. As the English name signifies the tree is very hard and durable. The wood is used in building temples and devales.
