CODE FOR THE USE OF THE NATIONAL FLAG
The National Flag of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
The Massage and Significance of The National Flag
RESPECT the National Flag and it will inspire you. This is the basic message of the National Flag. It is a message which should reach every Sri Lanka because the National Flag is a symbol of our mother-land, our Independence and the unity of our people. It is a symbol of our hopes and aspirations for the Nation’s future.
2. Each of us has to think more deeply of the National Flag and what it means so that when we see a National Flag automatically our shoulders will straighten, our hearts lift and our thoughts go to our mother-land.
3. Those who respond in this way to the National Flag are fortunate Sri Lankans. They have a duty to encourage others by their example to adopt the right attitude to the National Flag.
4. Our earlier National Flag was the Royal Standard of the last King of Kandy. It had a lion in yellow holding a sword in its right forepaw, on a crimson back-ground. Four pinnacles or spires also in yellow are at the four corners with a border running right round. Our present National Flag is a part of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, promulgated on 7th September, 1978. The Lion in yellow on a crimson background. has been retained. Four Bo leaves in yellow are at the four corners of the crimson back-grouTwo vertical stripes of saffron and green of equal size represent the minorities. The size of the stripes in relation to the entire flag is in the proportion 1 : 1 : 5. A yellow border runs round the flag. Detailed specifications of our present National Flag are given in the Sri Lanka Standard Specification for the National Flag of Sri Lanka SLS 693 : 1985 published by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution…
Sri Lanka National Anthem
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Sri Lanka Matha, apa Sri Lanka,
Namo Namo Namo Namo Matha.
Sundara siri barini,
Surändi athi Sobamana Lanka
Dhanya dhanaya neka mal pala thuru piri, jaya bhoomiya ramya.
Apa hata säpa siri setha sadana, jee vanaye Matha!
Piliganu mana apa bhakti pooja,
Namo Namo Matha.
Apa Sri Lanka,
Namo Namo Namo Namo Matha,
apa Sri Lanka, Namo Namo Namo Namo Matha.
Obave apa vidya obamaya apa sathya obave apa shakti
apa hada thula bhakti oba apa aloke
apage anuprane oba apa jeevana ve
apa muktiya obave
Nava jeevana demine nithina apa
Pubudu karan matha
Gnana veerya vadavamina ragena yanu
mana jaya bhoomi kara
Eka mavekuge daru kala bavina
yamu yamu wee nopama
Prema vadamu sama bheda durara da Namo Namo Matha
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Mother Lanka – we salute 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.
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.
TAMIL LYRICS
Sri Lanka Thaayé, nam Sri Lanka,
Namo Namo Namo Namo Thaayé.
Nallelil poli Seeranee,
Nalangal yaavum Niraivaan mani Lanka
Gnaalam puhala vala vayal nathi malai malar narum solai kol Lanka.
Namathuru puhalidam ena olir vaai, namathuyire Thaayé!
Namathalai ninathadi mail vyththomé
Namo Namo Thaayé.
Nam Sri Lanka,
Namo Namo Namo Namo Thaayé,
Nam Sri Lanka,
Namo Namo Namo Namo Thaayé.