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| Sunday, 30 January 2005 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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The pride of our nation
On February 4, 1948, the country celebrated its first Independence Day with people across the country hoisting the 2,000-year-old lion flag, considered to be one of the oldest national flags in the world. The flag is a symbol of unity, harmony and friendship among the different communities of Sri Lanka. The thousands of people who thronged Independence Square, where the official celebrations were held, witnessed the colourful ceremony of the lion flag as it went up, filling the hearts of all Lankans with pride, at the birth of a new and independent nation. Lion and sword What is the meaning of the lion flag? The lion holding a sword upright with its right paw stands for justice, righteousness, heroism, strength and discipline of the nation (the lion's eye - watches the rulers' performance, tongue - rulers' statements should be honest and truthful, head and tail - equality between ruler and citizens, hairy body - strength; sword - is an indication that the country should be ruled righteously, meting out justice to all). The four bo leaves at the four corners of the rectangle bordering the lion symbolise Metta - compassion, Karuna - kindness, Mudita - joy in others' prosperity and Upeksha - equanimity called the four Brahma Viyarana or the highest standards of harmonious living. The lion is yellow in colour, denoting righteousness and a peaceful way of life. The red in the background denotes immortality and the defeating of the evil forces of oppression. It is said that the birth of the Sinhala race began with the planting of the lion flag for the first time on Lankan soil. Prince Vijaya, after landing in the island, hoisted a flag that he had with him, a flag with a lion symbol. In later years, it was used by King Dutugemunu; the lion flag of King Dutugemunu is illustrated in a cave of the Golden Rock Temple of Dambulla, the Rangiri Dambulu Viharaya. This is believed to be the oldest flag found in Sri Lanka. Royal Standard It was adopted by the latter day kings and queens and is thought to have been used as the national flag during the Kotte and Kandy eras. It was also used by Sri Lanka's last king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe as his Royal Standard. This is believed to have fallen into the hands of the British after a battle with the king. The king fled after being defeated, dropping his Royal Standard on the way. After taking over Sri Lanka, the British took this Royal Standard to England and kept it in London. E.W. Perera, a member of the Legislative Council and later the State Council, was instrumental in bringing the flag back to the country. With the dawn of independence, all communities accepted the lion flag and decided to retain it as the national flag of Sri Lanka, with the addition of two vertical stripes of saffron and green to represent the Tamil and Muslim communities. Thus the lion flag came to be accepted as the national flag of Sri Lanka and has been hoisted by the people on all important occasions. ############# The anthem sung in one voice All countries have a national flag and a national anthem. They are part of the national identity of a country, and instils pride and respect for the country, among its citizens. Sri Lanka's national anthem, as you know, is Namo Namo Matha. The purpose of a national anthem, which is to instil patriotism and nationalism in its citizens, has been amply achieved by this composition. Do you know the origin of Namo Namo Matha? After Sri Lanka gained independence from the British colonialists in 1948, the people of Sri Lanka awakened to new patriotic feelings. As one of the first steps of a new nation-state, which had freed itself from colonial powers, finding a lyrical expression of its independent status was a priority for the rulers. A competition was conducted to find a suitable anthem which would befit the island nation. Namo Namo Matha, composed by Ananda Samarakoon, was selected as the national anthem on November 22, 1951. It was rendered in public for the first time on Independence Day, February 4, 1952, by 500 students from Musaeus College, Colombo, and was broadcast over the radio. The national anthem describes the natural beauty and the bounty of Sri Lanka, its rich harvests and many other qualities. |
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| Politics | Produced by Lake House |
When Sri Lanka celebrates the 57th anniversary of its regaining of
independence from Britain, on Friday, something that will be on very
prominent display is the national flag of the island nation.
