Sri Lanka’s national flag has become one of the most abused symbols. All too often, we see an alarming level of ignorance in the manner in which our national flag is treated.The flag, which has stood in its present form for the last 49 years, has in recent years faced mutilation by chauvinist groups. Far too often, it’s abused in the manner in which schoolboys abuse school flags during a big match.
For the benefit of our readers, we did some research on the legal requirements for the use of Sri Lanka’s national flag; and also looked at some of the practices of other nations in the use of their national flags.
The inclusive nature of the national flag
Few countries have national flags that are as inclusive of their ethnic communities as Sri Lanka’s. While most people are aware that the Sinhalese are represented by the maroon background, the Tamils by the orange, and the Moors by the green, not many are aware that the yellow border represents all other ethnicities, including specifically the Malays, Burghers, Veddas, Kaffirs, and the Sri Lankan Chinese. For those who don’t know who the Kaffirs are, they are the descendants of Portuguese traders and Bantu slaves of Africa who were brought to Sri Lanka in the 16th Century.
History of the national flag
Our national flag is also one of the oldest in the world, although it has undergone many modifications. The original flag dates back to King Vijaya’s lion standard in the 5th Century BC. The flag was used in various forms by some, but not all of, Sri Lanka’s kings, including the Kandyan kings. In 1815, its official usage ceased, as it was replaced by the British design. Upon Independence in 1948, the flag was adopted once again as the national flag of the Dominion of Ceylon. In 1953, and again in 1972, the flag underwent key changes. In 1972, under Nissanka Wijeyeratne, four Bo leaves were placed on the four corners replacing the earlier spearhead symbols.
Flag’s history
Proper usage of the national flag
The proper usage of the national flag was codified in law through a regulation drawn up by the Ministry of Home Affairs through an exhaustive process in a series of committees from 1979-1986, and passed by Cabinet. This can be found through the website of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The hoisting and display of the national flag is strictly governed by this code.
The design and dimensions are codified in “Sri Lanka Standards Specification for the national flag of Sri Lanka SLS 693: 1985”.
Some of the more relevant aspects of its usage are:
- When used with other flags, it must have pride of place in the centre of all the flags, with no other flag above it; be hoisted first and lowered last. Religious flags may be at the same level
- It can only be flown at night on very special occasions, and must then be floodlit
- When displayed on the street on anything other than a flagpole, it should be displayed with the lion upright. Thus, the practice of hanging the flag downwards for wedding houses is wrong
- On days of National Mourning, the half-mast position is actually a third of the way down from the top of the mast and not halfway. It should be hoisted to the top and then lowered one-third of the way. At the end of the day, it should be raised to the top before being lowered for the night
- When displayed on a stage, it should be on the right hand side of the speaker as he/she faces the audience; or fastened horizontally behind at the back of the stage
- When in procession, it must never be carried flat or at an angle
- It must never be dipped in respect to anyone including the President, as other flags are
- It should never touch the ground
- When the National Anthem is played, all persons should stand facing the flag
- The code forbids the abuse of the flag in any way. This includes improper display; and display of a damaged, disfigured or faded national flag. Thus, the disfiguring of the flag by removing any part of it, as we have seen in recent years by extremists, is an offence
- It shall not be used as a decoration or draped over a table or speaker’s platform
- It should never be worn as a garment of any sort
- A little known rule (Code for the Use of the national flag, s.11.8) forbids the usage of any part of the national flag on uniforms, including costumes and uniforms of athletes. A flag patch may be used on the uniforms of military personnel, firemen, and policemen. One wonders if the use of the flag on the uniform of the Sri Lanka cricket team is therefore improper.
Significance of national flags
“There is hopeful symbolism in the fact that flags do not wave in a vacuum” – Arthur C. Clarke
“A thoughtful mind, when it sees a Nation’s flag, sees not the flag only, but the nation itself; and whatever may be its symbols, its insignia, he reads chiefly in the flag the Government, the principles, the truths, the history, which belongs to the Nation that sets it forth” – Henry Ward Beecher
National flags are thought to have psychological significance, helping to conceptualise the nation’s core values, condense the history and memories associated with one’s country, and represent what the country stands for. In terms of symbolic expression of national consciousness, some also say that the flag represents the conscience of a country. This will inspire people to want to put their lives on the line for it. National flags thus reflect community memberships as well as deep emotional attachments to one’s homeland.
As a consequence, national flags should represent various objectives depending on time and situation, not just between countries. When a country has won a sporting competition, the flag should be prominently displayed. If a nation is engaged in military wars, the flag can be associated with violence, battle, and aggression. The flag of a nation fighting for independence should be connected with democracy.
- Nationalism and patriotism:
Do our people know how to respect the national flag, or do too many Sri Lankans confuse chauvinistic nationalism with true patriotism? National pride (patriotism) is combined with philosophies of national dominance and superiority to shape nationalism.
Since a sense of superiority is a core element of nationalism, nationalists associate power and supremacy with their flag, despite the distinction between nationalism and patriotism. Children are taught the significance of the words of the national anthem and the elements of the national flag. But many forget these in adulthood, indicating that there is a need to create greater awareness of them.
- Symbolised identity
When they landed in unknown lands, the first explorers always placed crosses or sculptures but later used flags to proclaim their presence or demonstrate their sovereignty. Flags signify that we are members of a community, an organization or a nation and that’s where the community set the objectives, rules, and regulations.
Often-used universal symbols on flags
Recent global incidents against national flags
- Hong Kong: A man was convicted of insulting the national flag and sentenced to four months in prison
- China: For disrespecting the national anthem, China considers three-year imprisonment terms. In September 2021, China passed a new law for up to 15 days’ detention for those who mock the national anthem “March of the Volunteers”, a law also covering Hong Kong and Macau. China’s Parliament is now examining whether China’s Criminal Act may be amended by penalties for disregard of the national anthem, including deliberately misrepresenting lyrics or tunes
- Malaysia: The disrespecting of the national flag is prohibited by Article 504 of the Penal Code, section 14 of the Minor Crimes 1955, or section 233 of the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998. Where found guilty, offenders may be imprisoned for two years and fined, whereas they may not be fined more than RM 100 under Section14 of the Minor Offenses of 1955. Under the terms of Article 233 of the communication and media law of 1998, they may be fined no more than RM 50,000, or imprisoned for not more than two years for the use of network facilities or services inappropriately
- Egypt: Legislation prohibits the “hoist, display or flag circulation if it is damaged, used and faded or otherwise improperly” and prohibits slogans, images or designs from being added to the flag or being used as a trade symbol
Proper disposal of national flags
Sri Lanka requires the respectful disposal of old national flags by methods such as burning. Some countries have elaborate rituals for the disposals.
- Philippines: The worn-out flag is collected from the pole and placed next to the flagpole on a table. The ceremony is performed with patriotic songs that set the mood. Then a guest speaker discusses the importance of rites. During the ceremony, a lady official should be present, not far from the burning flags. Her presence is a reminder of the first Filipino flag made by a woman, Inang Bayan. The lady official is the guest of honour who prepares the flag for burning, and hands over the flags to be burned. Following the burn, the ashes are placed in an urn, which is placed at least 1.5 meters deep in a burial ground.
Cannot use or treat the national flag
- Singapore: The flag cannot be used as a trademark or as part of commercial activity for publicity, for furnishings, decorations, or covers; with any private funeral activity; embedded or worn in any attire; or on any kind of private vehicle. The flag should be washed and replaced if it has faded. After any washing, it should not be hanging to dry like other cloth.
Other flags in Sri Lanka
It is a little known fact that Sri Lanka has had a rich history of flags throughout thousands of years. It was standard practice for each king or queen to have his/her flag, a practice that is followed today with each President having his/her own flag. Each of our provinces, districts, nilames, etc., have had and also still have their own flags. Prof. Nimal de Silva’s book Flag Traditions of Sri Lanka (2012) has brilliantly captured much of this history.
Interestingly, many of these flags have included other types of animals, reptiles and birds including the elephant, bull, deer, hare, horse, tiger, squirrel, bear, money, rat, leopard, swan, peacock, parrot, eagle, cobra, dragon, etc. Various flowers and objects such as weapons of war, drums, and conch shells are also prominent (de Silva, 2012). It is a history that all Sri Lankans should be taught.
Way forward
- It should be made mandatory for Government institutions, including schools, police stations, ministries, departments, local government and provincial government agencies, to fly the national flag prominently, and to ceremonially raise it at the beginning of the day and lower it ceremonially at dusk
- Proper usage of the national flag and other flags should be included in the school curriculum. This should include descriptions of the many elements of the national flag and the histories of other flags in Sri Lanka
- A handbook should be prepared and distributed that includes the existing “Code for the Use of the national flag”; and the “Sri Lanka Standards Specification for the national flag of Sri Lanka SLS 693: 1985”.
- Administrative officials of institutions in the state and private sector should be given proper guidelines on the usage of the national flag
- Any abuse of the national flag should be prosecuted
- Any changes proposed to the national flag should not be viewed lightly, but should be the subject of proper logical debate over a long period of time
Dr. Nicholas Ruwan Dias and Niresh Eliatamby are Managing Partners of Cogitaro.com, a consultancy that finds practical solutions for challenges facing society and different industries. Dr. Dias is a digital architect and educationist based in Kuala Lumpur. He holds a BSc in Computing from the University of Greenwich, a Master’s in Computer Software Engineering from Staffordshire University, and a PhD from the University of Malaya. He is completing a second doctorate in business administration from Universiti Utara Malaysia. ruwan@cogitaro.com.
Niresh Eliatamby is a lecturer in marketing, HR, and mass communications based in Colombo. He is an author and was formerly the Associate Editor of a newspaper and Editor of various industry magazines. He holds an MBA from London Metropolitan University and an LLM from Cardiff Metropolitan University. niresh@cogitaro.com.