Sri Lanka’s current national flag is the Lion Flag named in Constitution Article 6 and depicted in its Second Schedule. It represents the whole republic. The lion carries a sword; green and saffron stripes stand beside its maroon panel, with four bo leaves and a yellow border. [1] [3]
Specification
SLS 1:2020 prescribes a 1:2 rectangle, green then saffron at the hoist, and a yellow lion facing those stripes, holding an upright sword in its right forepaw. Yellow bo leaves occupy the red panel’s corners; black outlines define the devices. [2]
Physical colors
Table 1 specifies CIE Lab targets, DE 2000 tolerance ≤1.5, and these Pantone TCX references. Black has no numerical target. [2]
| Color | Pantone TCX |
|---|---|
| Red | 19-1863 |
| Saffron | 16-1164 |
| Green | 18-5322 |
| Yellow | 14-0957 |
The local SVG uses #941E32, #DF7500, #005F56, #F7B718, and black. These are specimen screen values, not substitute textile specifications or asserted color conversions. The standard calls the field red; government explanatory prose calls it maroon. [4] [3]
Construction notes
Clause 3.3 makes each stripe one-seventh of the length excluding the outer hoist border. Table 2 size 5 gives 1,200 × 600 mm, border a=50, stripe b=165, panel c=725. These horizontal components total 1,205 mm; no exact reconciliation is asserted. Other sizes refer to size 3. Plate 3 controls device features. [2]
The inspected vector has viewBox 0 0 1200 600: green x=50–215, saffron x=215–380, separator x=380–430, and red x=430–1155; panels run y=50–550. Thus its right border is 45 units, while the other borders and separator are 50. This is the vector contributor’s resolution of the dimension conflict. Its lion and four leaves visually follow Plate 3, with rounded path coordinates. The main size-5 grid is represented; exact compliance with every dimension, outline, and tolerance is not claimed. [4]
Use the SLSI standard and seek clarification from SLSI for manufacture. Do not scale this illustration as a certified cutting pattern or infer symmetry from its repeated leaves.
Historical record
The SLSI foreword dates parliamentary acceptance to 2 March 1951 and the more prominent leaves to 22 May 1972. SLS 1:2020 superseded SLS 693:1985; publication was authorized on 24 January 2020. [2]
The government overview instead mentions committee approval in February 1950 and a first hoisting on 3 March 1950. Those statements do not establish parliamentary adoption; this record follows SLSI for that event. The 1951 predecessor’s corner devices and the current 1972 design must not be treated as interchangeable. [3]
Symbolism
The government associates the lion with the Sinhala community, the sword with sovereignty, saffron with the Tamil community, and green with the Muslim community. Its explanation connects the leaves with Buddhism and four virtues. These interpretations explain the symbolism; they do not define construction measurements. [3]
Usage
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs records national-flag hoisting at the official residence in Bangkok for the anniversary of independence. This is documented diplomatic and national ceremonial use. For formal display arrangements, consult the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Code for the Use of the National Flag ↗; that PDF could not be fully retrieved during this review, so no detailed protocol rules are transcribed here. [5]
Source trail
Reviewed 6 September 2026. Standard construction plates were rendered and visually inspected alongside the SVG. The Parliament Secretariat’s 2023 consolidation describes itself as an unofficial edited edition.
- Parliament: Constitution, Articles 1 and 6; Second Schedule ↗ — represented entity, legal designation, and scheduled flag.
- Sri Lanka Standards Institution: SLS 1:2020 ↗ — foreword, clauses 3–5, Tables 1–2, Plates 2–3; dates, physical colors, dimensions and design.
- Government portal: Sri Lanka National Flag ↗ — national meaning, symbolism, and differing early chronology.
- Commons: SVG authorship, revision history and public-domain declaration ↗; local asset provenance ↗ — selected 27 November 2022 artwork, not the current file download.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: independence anniversary in Bangkok ↗ — documented ceremonial use.
Related records: India and Pakistan. Browse national flags or the Flag Index.