The flag of Tamil Eelam was designated as the national flag of the proposed state in 1990. The tiger symbol of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was created in 1977, differentiating it from the LTTE's emblem by leaving out the letters inscribing the movement's name. In 2005, the LTTE released a guide providing instructions and explaining the correct usage of the Tamil Eelam Flag. The guide written in Tamil specifies the regulations for flying alone or with national flags of other countries, and for general handling of the flag. The flag has four colours: yellow, red, black, and white. It is banned in Sri Lanka and is often seen at protests and functions concerning Tamil Eelam nationalism around the world.
The Parama Weera Vibhushanaya (PWV) is Sri Lanka's highest military decoration, awarded for acts of exceptional valour in wartime. Parama Weera Vibhushanaya translates as the "Order of the Supreme Valour", and the award is granted for "individual acts of gallantry and conspicuous bravery of the most exceptional order in the face of the enemy". Corporal Gamini Kularatne, was the first recipient. As of January 2021, the medal has been awarded 31 times, of which all were posthumous and arose from actions in the Sri Lankan Civil War. Of the 31 awardees, 28 have been from the Sri Lanka Army, two have been from the Sri Lanka Navy and one has been from the Sri Lanka Air Force.
The Weerodara Vibhushanaya is the second-highest decoration awarded by the Military of Sri Lanka awarded for:
...individual acts of gallantry and conspicuous bravery of a non-military nature of the most exceptional order performed voluntarily with no regard to his own life and security with the objective of saving or safeguarding the life or lives of a person or personnel imperiled by death or for a meritorious act or a series of acts of a humane nature of an exceptional order displayed in saving life from drowning, fire and rescue operations in mines, floods and similar calamities under circumstances of grave bodily injury or great danger to the life of the rescuer...
Weerahannadige Francisco Fernando, colloquially known by his nickname Puran Appu is one of the notable figures of Sri Lanka's post-Kandyan history. Regarded colloquially as a national hero, his staunch resistance against British rule made him a symbol of independence and patriotism within many Sri Lankans. He was born on 7 November 1812 and raised in the coastal town of Moratuwa. He left Moratuwa with his family at the age of 13 in the aftermath of a village dispute and stayed in Ratnapura with his uncle, who was the first Sinhalese proctor, eventually settling in Uva Province. In early 1847, he met and married Bandara Menike, the daughter of Gunnepana Arachchi in Kandy.
Sri Lankabhimanya is the highest national honour of Sri Lanka, which is awarded by the President of Sri Lanka on behalf of the government, equivalent to the National Hero of Sri Lanka. It is the country's highest civil honour and is conferred upon "those who have rendered exceptionally outstanding and most distinguished service to the nation".
In the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, individuals are recognized for personal bravery, achievement, or service with the with national honours. The national honours consists of several types of awards:
The National Bravery Awards are a set of awards given annually to about 25 Indian children below 18 years of age for "meritorious acts of bravery against all odds." The awards are given by the Government of India and the Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW). The award was instituted in 1957.The youngest national award was awarded to Veerangana Jhala in 2022 when she was only 6 years old from a village called Chuda in Gujarat.
Deshabandu Tissa Ananda Abeysekara was a Sri Lankan filmmaker, actor, writer, director, screen playwright and political activist. He is better known as a script writer for the cinema as well as a film director. In 1996, his book Bringing Tony Home won the prestigious Gratiaen Prize for the new creative writing in English. He was the chief coordinator of FOSWAL in Sri Lanka and honoured awardee of SAARC Literary Award.
The Vidya Jyothi is a Sri Lankan national honour awarded "for outstanding scientific and technological achievements". It is the highest national honour for science in Sri Lanka for outstanding contribution to the development of the country through dedicated work in the chosen field. It is conventionally used as a title or prefix to the awardee's name.
The Kala Keerthi is a Sri Lankan national honour awarded "for extraordinary achievements and contributions in arts, culture and drama". It is the highest national honour for arts, culture and drama in Sri Lanka. It is conventionally used as a title or prefix to the awardee's name. Kala Keerthi ranks lower than Vidya Jyothi.
The Vidya Nidhi is a Sri Lankan national honour awarded "for meritorious scientific and technological achievements". It is conventionally used as a title or prefix to the awardee's name. Vidya Nidhi ranks lower than Sri Lanka Sikhamani.
The Kala Suri is a Sri Lankan national honour awarded "for special contributions to the development of the arts". It is conventionally used as a title or prefix to the awardee's name. Kala Suri ranks lower than Vidya Nidhi.
The Sri Lanka Thilaka is a non-titular national honour of Sri Lanka awarded "for service to the nation". Sri Lanka Thilaka ranks lower than Kala Suri.
The Veera Prathapa is a non titular national honour of Sri Lanka awarded "for acts of bravery of the highest order". Veera Prathapa ranks lower than Sri Lanka Thilaka.
The Sri Lanka Rathna is a national honour of Sri Lanka for foreigners or non nationals, awarded "for exceptional and outstanding service to the nation". It comprises a citation and a gold medal studded with nine "navaratnas" with a Manel symbol.
The Sri Lanka Ranjana is a national honour of Sri Lanka for foreigners or non nationals, awarded "for distinguished service of highly meritorious nature".
Deshabandu James Edward Herath Herald known as Harold Herath was a senior Sri Lankan politician and Cabinet Minister. Herath was most notably Minister of Foreign Affairs under President Ranasinghe Premadasa from 1991 to 1993. He entered Parliament winning the Nattandiya electorate in the Puttalam Electoral District 1977, and held his seat until 2000 retiring not contesting the 2001 parliamentary election. He has also held the portfolios of Minister of Justice and Minister of Coconut Development.
The Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana is a Sri Lankan honour, for Heads of State and Heads of Government with which Sri Lanka has friendly relations "in appreciation of their friendship towards and solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka". The recipient of the honour is awarded a citation and a silver medal, which is to be worn around the neck, studded and adorned with nine kinds of Sri Lankan gems (Nawaratna) with the symbols of a lotus, the globe, sun, moon and sheaves of rice. The ribbon on medal is 6.5 cm (2.6 in) wide. The honour takes precedence over the National Honours awarded to non–Sri Lankans, and will be awarded by the President as and when he/she deems fit. The names of all the recipients are contained in a register maintained under the direction of the President for the recipient of National Honours granted to Sri Lankans. The honour was introduced in February 2008 by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
In November 2005 President of Sri Lanka Chandrika Kumaratunga awarded national honours to 231 individuals for distinguished services. The awards ceremony was held on 14 November 2005 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in Colombo.
In April 1998 President of Sri Lanka Chandrika Kumaratunga awarded national honours to 78 individuals for distinguished services to mark the golden jubilee of Sri Lankan independence.
