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Education and News
History of the National Flag
“RESPECT” the National Flag and it will inspire you. This is the basic message of the National Flag. It is a message which should reach every Sri Lankan because the National Flag is a symbol of our motherland, our independence and the unity of our people. It is a symbol of our hopes and aspirations for the Nation’s future. Our earlier National Flag was the royal Standard of the last king of Kandy, It had a lion in yellow holding a sword in its right fore-paw, on a crimson background. Four pinnacles or spires also in yellow are at the four corners with a border running right round.
Our present National Flag is part of the constitution of the Democratic Socialist republic of Sri Lanka promulgated on 7th September 1978. The lion in yellow on a crimson background has been retained. Four bo-leaves in yellow are at the four corners of the crimson background. Two vertical stripes of saffron and green of equal size represent the minorities.
AIR FORCE ENSIGN
When the Royal Ceylon Air Force was established on 2nd March 1951 with Gp Capt. G.C. Bladen as the Commander a proper ensign had not been designed for the Royal Ceylon Air Force. On 23rd February 1951 a commission was appointed to decide on the National Arms and Badges of Ceylon, and ceremonials and other uniforms. On 27th November 1951 the commission has recommended the use of the Air Force ensign. Air Force has replaced the union flag of the RAF ensign with the lion flag which was the flag of the country at that time. The ensign is in sky blue color with lion flag in the top left hand corner whilst the modified roundel of the RAF in the right hand corner.
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A HISTORY OF THE SRI LANKA ARMY
A defense pact was signed between Britain and Ceylon (as Sri Lanka was then known)just after world war 11. At the first anniversary of our independence it was decided to raise a Ceylon Army and on 11. April 1949, legal assent was given to establish this Army .The first Commander of this Army was BRIGADIER RODERICK SINCLAIR THE EARL OF CAITHNESS CBE DSO. Subsequently the first Sri Lankan Commander MAJOR-GENERAL ANTON. M. MUTTUKUMARU OBE ED was appointed to this post
The Volunteer force originated in 1881.The first Sri Lankan Commanding officer was appointed in 1956 and he was Colonel H.W.G.Wijekoon OBE ED. From a small force of just about a thousand men it has grown to over 46,000 personnel and 55 battalions.The command and control of this force consists of 1 Major-General, 3 Brigadiers and 13 Colonels.
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HISTORY OF SRI LANKA NAVY
History in brief Sri Lanka situated in the middle of the sea lanes of the Indian Ocean was always a magnet for sea farers. In 1937 the Ceylon Naval Volunteer Force (CNVF) was established. After World War II CNVF was absorbed into the Royal Navy as Ceylon Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (CRNVR). After independence from British rule, a nucleus of 100 Officers and Men prepared to form the Regular Navy gradually. On 9th December 1950 the Navy Act was enacted and Royal Ceylon Navy was formed. In 1972, with the introduction of new constitution Royal Ceylon Navy was renamed as the Sri Lanka Navy.
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