In the

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, also known historically as Ceylon, is an island country in South Asia. It lies in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal, separated from the Indian peninsula by ...

, individuals are recognized for personal bravery, achievement, or service with the with national honours. The national honours consists of several types of awards: * National Honours are civil honours awarded for service to the nation, bravery, scientific achievement, achievements in arts, culture and drama. * Decorations tend to be used to recognise specific deeds; **

Military decorations Military awards and decorations are distinctions given as a mark of honor for military heroism, meritorious or outstanding service or achievement. A decoration is often a medal consisting of a ribbon and a medallion. Civil decorations awarded ...

Medal A medal or medallion is a small portable artistic object, a thin disc, normally of metal, carrying a design, usually on both sides. They typically have a commemorative purpose of some kind, and many are presented as awards. They may be in ...

s are used to recognise service on a particular operation or in a specific theatre, long or valuable service, and good conduct. ** Military medals ** Police medals Awards are conferred by the

President of Sri Lanka The president of Sri Lanka ( ''Śrī Laṅkā Janādhipati''; ''Ilaṇkai janātipati'') is the head of state and head of government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The president is the chief executive of the union governm ...

on behalf of the

Government of Sri Lanka The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) (; ) is a Semi-presidential republic determined by the Constitution of Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan Constitution. It administers the island from both its commercial capital of Colombo and the administrative capital o ...

, with the Presidential Secretariat being responsible for the administration of the honours.

History

The Sinhalese monarchs rewarded their loyal subjects with titles and tokens of honor, with the last native kingdom, the

Kingdom of Kandy The Kingdom of Kandy was a monarchy on the Sri Lanka, island of Sri Lanka, located in the central and eastern portion of the island. It was founded in the late 15th century and endured until the early 19th century. Initially a client kingdom ...

, having an established system of honors that had been in practice since time immemorial. The British established their own system of honors for the island, incorporating indigenous titles and Imperial honors by the late nineteeth century. Until 1972, the

British honours system In the United Kingdom and the British Overseas Territories, personal bravery, achievement, or service are rewarded with honours. The honours system consists of three types of award: *Honours are used to recognise merit in terms of achievement a ...

was in place in Ceylon along with several indigenous titles, however, since 1956 no nominations were made for these honours and were automatically discontinued after Sri Lanka became a

republic A republic, based on the Latin phrase ''res publica'' ('public affair' or 'people's affair'), is a State (polity), state in which Power (social and political), political power rests with the public (people), typically through their Representat ...

. The modern national honours of Sri Lanka was constituted in 1986 by the Extraordinary Gazette No. 387/3 issued on 2 March 1986, which established a uniquely indigenous honours system of titles, decorations and medals which are awarded to recognise achievements of, or service by, Sri Lankans or others in connection with Sri Lanka. This was followed by amendments mentioned in the Government Gazette No. 627/8 issued on 12 September 1990, Government Gazette No. 863/4 issued on 20 March 1995 and Government Gazette No. 1535/12 8 February 2008. Many of the awards are

titular Titular may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * Title character in a narrative work, the character referred to in its title Religion * Titular (Catholicism), a cardinal who holds a titulus, one of the main churches of Rome ** Titular bisho ...

Selection and awards

Nominations for national honors are made by cabinet ministers and provincial governors. A select committee nominated by the President and chaired by the Prime Minister’s Secretary review the nominations. This list is then reviewed by a group of scholars chosen by the President's Secretary and selects recipients for appointment by the President. The recipient's names are formally published in a gazette, after which the awards are presented by the President on a special ceremony that may fall on the National Independence Day, National Heroes Day, and events honoring non-Sri Lankan honorees.

Civil Honour

These include the following in the order of their ranking, which are used as titles;

For service to the nation

Sri Lankabhimanya

The

Sri Lankabhimanya Sri Lankabhimanya (; ; The Pride of Sri Lanka) is the highest National Honours of Sri Lanka, national honour of Sri Lanka, which is awarded by the President of Sri Lanka on behalf of the government, equivalent to the National Heroes of Sri Lanka, ...

(

Pride Pride is a human Emotion, secondary emotion characterized by a sense of satisfaction with one's Identity (philosophy), identity, performance, or accomplishments. It is often considered the opposite of shame or of humility and, depending on conte ...

of Sri lanka) is conferred to "those who have rendered exceptionally outstanding and most distinguished service to the nation". The honour can only be held by five Sri Lankans at a time, and also can be conferred posthumously.

Deshamanya

The

Deshamanya Deshamanya (; ; Pride of the Nation) is the second-highest national honour of Sri Lanka awarded by the Government of Sri Lanka as a civil honour. It is awarded for "''highly meritorious service''", and is conventionally used as a title or prefi ...

(Pride of the Nation) is the second highest Sri Lankan national honour, awarded by the Government of Sri Lanka "for highly meritorious service".

Deshabandhu

The

Deshabandhu Deshabandhu (; ) is the third highest national honour awarded in Sri Lanka. It is awarded "for meritorious service". The title is held by no more than 150 living holders at any time. It is conferred with a citation and a silver medal with a sym ...

( Kin of the Nation) is the third-highest Sri Lankan national honour. It is awarded "for meritorious service".

Sri Lanka Sikhamani

The Sri Lanka Sikhamani (Sri Lanka's Precious Gem) is a national honour "for service to the nation".

Sri Lanka Thilaka

The Sri Lanka Thilaka (

Tilaka In Hinduism, the tilaka (), colloquially known as a tika, is a mark worn usually on the forehead, at the point of the Ajna, ''ajna chakra'' (third eye or spiritual eye) and sometimes other parts of the body such as the neck, hand, chest, or the ...

of Sri Lanka, i.e. Brave Adornment on Forehead of Sri Lanka) is a non-titular national honour "for service to the nation".

For bravery

Veera Chudamani

The Veera Chudamani (

Brave Brave(s) or The Brave(s) may refer to: Common meanings *Brave, an adjective for one who possesses courage * Braves (Native Americans), a Euro-American stereotype for Native American warriors Film and television * ''Brave'' (1994 film), a concept ...

Chudamani, i.e. Brave Adornment) is a National Honour awarded " for acts of bravery of the highest order". Veera Chudamani ranks lower than Deshabandhu.

Veera Prathapa

The Veera Prathapa (Brave Opulence) is a non-titular national honour awarded " for acts of bravery of the highest order". Veera Prathapa ranks lower than Sri Lanka Thilaka.

For scientific achievement

Vidya Jyothi

The

Vidya Jyothi The Vidya Jyothi (; ) is a Sri Lankan Sri Lankan honours system, 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 ...

( Lusture of

Knowledge Knowledge is an Declarative knowledge, awareness of facts, a Knowledge by acquaintance, familiarity with individuals and situations, or a Procedural knowledge, practical skill. Knowledge of facts, also called propositional knowledge, is oft ...

) is a 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. Vidya Jyothi ranks lower than Veera Chudamani.

Vidya Nidhi

The Vidya Nidhi (

Treasure Treasure (from from Greek ''thēsauros'', "treasure store") is a concentration of wealth — often originating from ancient history — that is considered lost and/or forgotten until rediscovered. Some jurisdictions legally define what constit ...

of Knowledge) is a national honour awarded " for meritorious scientific and technological achievements". Vidya Nidhi ranks lower than Sri Lanka Sikhamani.

For achievements in arts, culture and drama

Kala Keerthi

The Kala Keerthi ( Glory of Knowledge) is a 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

Kala Suri

The Kala Suri (

Sun The Sun is the star at the centre of the Solar System. It is a massive, nearly perfect sphere of hot plasma, heated to incandescence by nuclear fusion reactions in its core, radiating the energy from its surface mainly as visible light a ...

Art Art is a diverse range of cultural activity centered around ''works'' utilizing creative or imaginative talents, which are expected to evoke a worthwhile experience, generally through an expression of emotional power, conceptual ideas, tec ...

) is a national honour awarded " for special contributions to the development of the arts". Kala Suri ranks lower than Vidya Nidhi.

For non-nationals

Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana

The

Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana The Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana (, Tamil: சிறீ லங்கா மித்ர விபூஷண, ''Sri Lankan Friendship Decoration'') is a distinguished honor awarded by the Government of Sri Lanka to foreign Heads of State and Heads ...

( Decorated

Friend Friendship is a relationship of mutual affection between people. It is a stronger form of interpersonal bond than an "acquaintance" or an "association", such as a classmate, neighbor, coworker, or colleague. Although there are many forms of f ...

of Sri Lanka) is the highest Sri Lankan honour for non-citizens, reserved 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".

Sri Lanka Rathna

The Sri Lanka Rathna ( Jewel Friend of Sri Lanka) is a Sri Lankan honour, 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" (Sri Lankan gems) with a Manel symbol (the country's national flower).

Sri Lanka Ranjana

The Sri Lanka Ranjana ( Delightful Friend of Sri Lanka) is a Sri Lankan honour, for foreigners or non-nationals, awarded " for distinguished service of highly meritorious nature".

Sri Lanka Ramya

The Sri Lanka Ramya ( Delight of Sri Lanka) is a Sri Lankan honour, for foreigners or non-nationals, awarded "for distinguished service".

Vishishta Kaushalyabhimani

The Vishishta Kaushalyabhimani ( Kaushalya's

Special Special or specials may refer to: Policing * Specials, Ulster Special Constabulary, the Northern Ireland police force * Specials, Special Constable, an auxiliary, volunteer, or temporary; police worker or police officer * Special police forces ...

) was established in 2023.

Vishishta Republica Abhimani

The Vishishta Republica Abhimani (Special Pride of Republic) was established in 2023.

Order of precedence

* Veera Chudamani *

* Kala Keerthi * Sri Lanka Sikhamani * Vidya Nidhi * Kala Suri * Sri Lanka Thilaka * Veera Prathapa *

* Sri Lanka Rathna * Sri Lanka Ranjana * Sri Lanka Ramya * Vishishta Kaushalyabhimani * Vishishta Republica Abhimani

Return

In January 2019, former civil servant Devanesan Nesiah returned the honour Deshamanya award to him in the 2017 national honours by President

Maithripala Sirisena Maithripala Yapa Sirisena (; ; born 3 September 1951) is a Sri Lankan politician who served as the seventh president of Sri Lanka from 9 January 2015 to 18 November 2019. Sirisena is Sri Lanka's first president from the North Central Province, S ...

, following Sirisena's role in the 2018 Sri Lankan constitutional crisis.

Non-honours

* In the past, Justice of the Peace appointments were made as honours by the

Minister of Justice A justice ministry, ministry of justice, or department of justice, is a ministry or other government agency in charge of the administration of justice. The ministry or department is often headed by a minister of justice (minister for justice in a ...

. This entitle the holder to place

post nominals Post-nominal letters, also called post-nominal initials, post-nominal titles, designatory letters, or simply post-nominals, are letters placed after a person's name to indicate that the individual holds a position, an academic degree, accreditation ...

JP after their name. * Religious and civil institutions in Sri Lanka commonly award various titles that are similar to national honors, however these are not recognised by the government and legislation is being drafted to stop such awards.

References

{{Decorations by country Sri Lanka and the Commonwealth of Nations