In the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, 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;
- Medals are used to recognise service on a particular operation or in a specific theatre, long or valuable service, and good conduct.
Awards are conferred by the President of Sri Lanka on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, 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, 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 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.
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.
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 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 (Pride of the Nation) is the second highest Sri Lankan national honour, awarded by the Government of Sri Lanka "for highly meritorious service".
Deshabandu
The Deshabandu 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 is a non-titular national honour "for service to the nation".
For bravery
Veera Chudamani
The Veera Chudamani is a National Honour awarded " for acts of bravery of the highest order". Veera Chudamani ranks lower than Deshabandu.
Veera Prathapa
The Veera Prathapa 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 is a Sri Lankan honour, for foreigners or non-nationals, awarded "for distinguished service".
Vishishta Kaushalyabhimani
The Vishishta Kaushalyabhimani was established in 2023.
Vishishta Republica Abhimani
The Vishishta Republica Abhimani was established in 2023.
Order of precedence
- Sri Lankabhimanya
- Deshamanya
- Deshabandu
- Veera Chudamani
- Vidya Jyothi
- Kala Keerthi
- Sri Lanka Sikhamani
- Vidya Nidhi
- Kala Suri
- Sri Lanka Thilaka
- Veera Prathapa
- Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana
- Sri Lanka Rathna
- Sri Lanka Ranjana
- Sri Lanka Ramya
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, 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. This entitle the holder to place post nominals 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.
See also
References
- ^ "LATEST NEWSLegal actions against unauthorized conferment and utilization of national awards and honorary titles". The Island. 23 February 2024. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
- ^ "Legal action to stop unapproved awarding of national honors: President's Secy". Sunday Times. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
- "Sri Lankabhimanya award for two distinguished Sri Lankans". Island. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
- ^ Gunawardena, Charles A. (2005). Encyclopedia Of Sri Lanka. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. p. 254. ISBN 9781932705485.
- "Two Palestinian Heads of State awarded Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana National Honour". Sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
- ^ "President's Secretary directs officials to pursue legal action against unauthorized granting of national awards and honorary titles". news.lk. Department of Information, Government of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
- "Dr. Nesiah returns 'Deshamanya' award conferred to him by President". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
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