Flag of Sri Lanka

🎨 What the flag means

Sri Lanka's flag shows a golden lion holding a sword on a maroon background, with a bo leaf in each corner. The lion stands for the Sinhalese people and the sword for the nation's sovereignty. The orange and green stripes stand for the Tamil and Moor communities, the bo leaves for four Buddhist virtues such as kindness, and the yellow border for other communities.

📊 Quick facts

👥 Population

22 million (2023)

🏙️ Capital

Colombo647.6 thousand people (2025)

🗣️ Main language

SinhalaAlso official: Tamil

✨ 3 fun facts

1. In 1960, Sirimavo Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka became the world's first elected female head of government.
2. Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress, nicknamed the "Fortress in the Sky", built in the 400s.
3. In the dry season, large herds of elephants gather at Minneriya National Park in an event called "The Gathering".