Sri Lanka: Flag and Facts
Sri Lanka's flag has a yellow border around two panels: a small one with green and orange stripes, and a larger maroon one with a yellow lion holding a sword and a bo leaf in each corner.
- Official name
- Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
- Capital
- Colombo
- Region
- Southern Asia
- Population
- 22 million (2025)
- Languages
- Sinhala, Tamil
- Currency
- Sri Lankan rupee
- Area
- 65,610 km² (25,332 sq mi)
- People
- Sri Lankan
- Calling code
- +94
- Highest point
- Pidurutalagala 2,524 m
- Independence
- 4 February 1948 (from the UK)
- National symbols
- lion, water lily
- Borders
- India
About Sri Lanka
The first Sinhalese reached the island in the late 6th century B.C., likely from northern India. Buddhism arrived around 250 B.C., and early kingdoms grew up at Anuradhapura and later Polonnaruwa. Portuguese, then Dutch, then British rulers took over in turn, and the island was ceded to Britain in 1796. It won independence as Ceylon in 1948 and changed its name to Sri Lanka in 1972.
A war between the government and Tamil separatists began in 1983 and dragged on for over 25 years until 2009. The island is mostly low, flat or gently rolling, with mountains in the south-central interior. Two monsoons shape the weather. About 22 million people live here, and Colombo is the capital, though Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte serves as the legislative capital.
Did you know?
- The four bo leaves on the flag represent Buddhism and four virtues, including kindness and happiness.
- Pidurutalagala, the tallest peak, reaches 2,524 meters.
- The lion and the water lily are both national symbols.
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Questions about Sri Lanka
What languages are spoken in Sri Lanka?
Sinhala and Tamil are the official languages. The currency is the Sri Lankan rupee.
What did Sri Lanka used to be called?
It was called Ceylon when it gained independence in 1948. The name changed to Sri Lanka in 1972.
Sources
- CIA World Factbook, checked October 8, 2026
- REST Countries data (mledoze/countries), checked October 8, 2026
- Flag artwork: flag-icons (MIT), checked October 8, 2026
Facts are compiled from these open sources and rewritten in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.