Medals of Sri Lanka

International Electronic Phaleristic Encyclopedia

by Edward S. Haynes
(© 1999)

       

What is presented here is almost inexpressively preliminary, but - as Sri Lankan awards are almost totally unknown - "something is better than nothing".  Details and corrections are welcomed.

This page represents a considerable amount of effort and original research work and users are requested (under terms of both copyright and normal academic usage) to make reference to this page (link it as a whole) rather that extract and "borrow" information. Thank you.

  1. Parama Veera Vibushanya -- Awarded for combat acts of bravery and gallantry of the highest order. Established: 1971, modified 1979.

  2. Veerodhara Vibushanya -- Awarded to recognize the highest degrees of non-combatant bravery. Established: 1971, modified 1979.

  3. Veera Vickram Vibushanya -- Awarded for acts of gallantry in saving the lives of others. Established: 1971, modified 1979.

  4. Police Medal for Gallantry -- Established: 4 August 1950. Obverse: Circular silver medal, with the image of the sovereign. Reverse: An emblematic design (??) with the words "CEYLON POLICE SERVICE" and, below, "FOR GALLANTRY". Ribbon: Khaki, with edge stripes (reading inward) of dark blue, pale blue, and white. The white stripe has a thin center stripe of red.

  5. Armed Services Inauguration Medal -- Awarded to all members of the armed services who served during specified periods in the 1950-1951 period. Established: July 1955. Obverse: Circular 35-mm copper-nickel. In the center, the crowned lion badge of Ceylon, surrounded by the legend "ELIZABETH II QUEEN OF CEYLON & OF HER OTHER REALMS & TERRITORIES - HEAD OF THE COMMONWEALTH". Suspended by a straight-bar non-swiveling suspender. The medal is usually unnamed. Reverse: In the center, "INAUGURATION / ARMED SERVICES", surrounded by "???" "???" (Tamil) or "???", "SRI LANKA", and "???" "???" (Sinhala) or "???". Ribbon: 36 mm, red-maroon with thin edge stripes (reading inward) of 1 mm yellow, 1.5 mm green, 1.5 mm saffron, 1 mm yellow.

  6. Police Independence Medal -- Ribbon: Red, with broad edge stripes of (reading inward) dark blue and tan. Between the tan stripes and the red center, thin white stripes.

  7. Armed Services Medal -- Ribbon: Royal blue with edge stripes (reading inward) of royal blue, red, and yellow. (???)

  8. Videsha Seva Padakkama -- Awarded for foreign military service. Established: 1971?

  9. Visiatha Seva Vibushanya -- Awarded for twenty years of outstanding service. Established: 1971?

  10. Uttama Seva Padakkama -- Awarded for fifteen years of good service. Same as Sri Lanka Armed Forces Service Medal? Established: 1971?

  11. Ceylon Armed Forces Long Service Medal -- Awarded to any rank in the Ceylon armed forces for twelve years of service. A clasp may be added to the ribbon on the completion of twenty-two years of service. When the ribbon is worn alone, the receipt of this clasp is indicated by the addition of a copper-nickel lotus to the ribbon bar. This medal was superceded by the Sri Lanka Armed Forces Long Service Medal in 1979. Established: By Royal Warrant of December 1968. Became obsolete in 1979. Obverse: Circular copper-nickel. In the center, the crowned lion badge of Ceylon, surrounded by the legend "ELIZABETH II QUEEN OF CEYLON & OF HER OTHER REALMS & TERRITORIES - HEAD OF THE COMMONWEALTH". Suspended by an integral straight-bar suspender. Reverse: An eagle, superimposed on an anchor and crossed swords, with a lion above all. Surrounding, the legend "FOR GOOD SERVICE", "???" "???" (Tamil) or "???" and "???" "???" (Sinhala) or "???". Ribbon: 32 mm, red with 2.5 mm edge stripes (reading inwards) of red, saffron-orange, dark blue, and pale blue. Variation in ribbon colors has been observed, but there is no significance other than manufacturing differences.

  12. Sri Lanka Armed Forces Long Service Medal -- Replaced the Ceylon Armed Forces Long Service Medal in 1979. Same as Uttam Sevam Paddakam? Established: Presidential Warrant of 1 August 1979.

  13. Efficiency Medal -- Awarded for twelve years of service in the Ceylon volunteer forces. This represents a continuation of a pre-Independence award, begun under King George V in 1930, but only the post-Independence issues are listed here. Established: 17 October 1930. Became obsolete in 1972? Obverse: A silver oblong medal, 39 x 32 mm. The head of the sovereign (detailed below). The medal is suspended from a scroll bearing the legend "CEYLON" and a straight bar. It is normally named on the edge. Reverse: The legend "FOR EFFICIENT SERVICE". Ribbon: 32 mm, green with yellow edges.

  14. Medal for Meritorious Service -- Established: 4 August 1950. Obverse: Circular silver medal, with the image of the sovereign. Reverse: An emblematic design (??) with the words "CEYLON POLICE SERVICE" and, below, "FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE". Ribbon: Khaki, with edge stripes (reading inward) of dark blue, pale blue, and white.

  15. Ceylon Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal -- Awarded for eighteen years of long and distinguished service in the Ceylon Police. This replaced earlier awards of the Colonial Police Long Service Medal prior to Independence. Additional bars could be added to the ribbon for twenty-five years and thirty years of service. The medal was replaced in 1972 by ???. Established: 4 August 1950. The medal became obsolete in 1972. Obverse: Circular 36-mm copper-nickel. The image of the sovereign (as detailed below). Suspended by a straight-bar suspender. Reverse: The elephant badge of Sri Lanka, facing left. Surrounding it, the legend "CEYLON POLICE SERVICE / FOR LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT". Ribbon: Dark blue, with edge stripes (reading inward) of pale blue, thin white, and pale brown.

  16. Ceylon Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct Medal -- Awarded for eighteen years of long and distinguished service in the Ceylon Fire Brigade. This replaced earlier awards of the Colonial Fire Brigade Long Service Medal prior to Independence. Additional bars could be added to the ribbon for twenty-five years and thirty years of service. The medal was replaced in 1972 by ???. Established: 4 August 1950. The medal became obsolete in 1972. Obverse: Circular 36-mm copper-nickel (silver?). The image of the sovereign (as detailed below). Suspended by a straight-bar suspender. Reverse: The elephant badge of Sri Lanka, facing left. Surrounding it, the legend "CEYLON FIRE SERVICES / FOR LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT". Ribbon: Dark blue with a thin white center stripe and pale blue edges. The pale blue edges and the dark blue center are separated by thin stripes of (reading inward) white and khaki.

  17. UNITED NATIONS: Operations des Nations Units au Congo (ONUC), July 1960-June 1964

  18. UNITED NATIONS: United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ), December 1992-December 1994


http://haynese.winthrop.edu/medals/srilanka.html
last revised 27 September 1999
Ed Haynes