Sri Lanka

The national flag of Sri Lanka features a golden lion holding a sword on a maroon field bordered in gold, with two vertical stripes in green and orange at the hoist and four golden Bo leaves in the corners. The lion symbolizes bravery and the Sinhalese people, the sword represents sovereignty, the orange and green stripes reflect the Tamil and Muslim communities, and the Bo leaves symbolize Buddhism and the virtues of loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity.

Sri Lanka officially adopted its current national flag on May 22, 1972, following the country's transition to a republic. The design evolved from the historic Lion Flag of the Kingdom of Kandy, with additional elements added to represent the nation's ethnic and religious diversity.

• Official Name: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
• Capital: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
• Largest City: Colombo
• Continent: Asia
• Population: approx. 22 million
• Official Languages: Sinhala & Tamil
• Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)

Famous Attractions
• Sigiriya Rock Fortress
• Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
• Yala National Park
• Nine Arches Bridge
• Galle Fort

Sri Lanka is renowned for its ancient heritage, tropical beaches and diverse wildlife. Visitors climb the UNESCO-listed Sigiriya Rock Fortress, explore the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, enjoy safaris in Yala National Park, admire the Nine Arches Bridge and stroll through historic Galle Fort.