Adopted in 1948 and with minor modifications since, the flag consists of a yellow/orange base and has a large magenta coloured rectangle on its right hand side.  Within this rectangle is gold lion holding an upright sword and four yellow pipul leaves, one in each corner. On the left hand side of the flag are two vertical stripes, green and orange.

Sri Lanka’s minority Muslims are represented by the green strip. The orange strip represents the minority Hindu Tamils.  The yellow colour stands for Buddhism and the magenta for long life. The lion is an ancient symbol of the people while the swords stand for authority.  The pipul leaves are a Buddhist symbol as they are from the tree under which Guatama received enlightenment and became Buddha. The leaves individually stand for love, compassion, sympathy and equanimity.