ශ්‍රී ලංකා ප්‍රජාතාන්ත්‍රික සමාජවාදී ජනරජය

Capital- city of Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte
Square- 65,610 sq. km.
Population— 21.6 million people
Language- Sinhala and Tamil
Form of government- mixed republic
Independence date (from Great Britain)— February 4, 1948
The largest city —
Currency— Sri Lankan rupee
Timezone — +5:30
Telephone code — +94

At the official level the country is called Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The state is located in southern Asia on the territory of the island of Sri Lanka in the southwestern part of the coast of Hindustan. Until the country gained independence, it was called Ceylon. The official capital of the state is the city of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, where the supreme court and parliament are located. However, the actual capital is the city. The residence of the country's president is located here and the government meets. Dondra is the southern cape of the island, Dutch Bay is the western.

Sri Lanka - video

The island of Sri Lanka is washed by the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. The Palk Strait and the Gulf of Manara separate Sri Lanka from Hindustan. In the past, the island was connected to the mainland by the so-called Adam's Bridge (a sandbar in the Palk Strait), but according to legend, the bridge was destroyed during one of the earthquakes. Located in the center of the country mountain ranges, the topography of the rest of the territory is predominantly lowland. The tallest Mountain peak is located at an altitude of 2,524 meters above sea level and is called Pidurutalagala. The island's subequatorial monsoon climate is determined by the northeast and southwest monsoons that blow throughout the year.
The largest rivers Sri Lanka are Kalu, Aruvi-Aru, Kelani, Mahaweli-Ganga.

According to the government census conducted in the summer of 2013, the country has a population of about 21.6 million people. By nationality we can distinguish Sinhalese (about 75%), Tamils ​​(about 18%), Sri Lankan Moors (about 7%), burghers (about 0.3%), Veddas (about 1 thousand people). Religiously, the country's population is divided into followers of Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam - 70%, 15%, 8% and 7%, respectively.

The country's calling card is tea. In terms of its production volumes, Sri Lanka is third in the world, second only to China and. The country has achieved the greatest success in the extraction of precious stones, rubber and cinnamon. The textile industry occupies a leading position in terms of export volumes (about 63%), agriculture - about 20%. The country has a fairly extensive network of bus routes, which are served by both the state bus company and private enterprises. You can get to any corner of the island by bus, but traveling there will be little fun due to dirt, dust, crowding and low speed (no more than 45 km/h). There are also more comfortable buses, but getting on them is quite difficult - tickets must be booked in advance at bus stations or at transport agencies.

It's worth mentioning railway transport islands. The railway connection connects large cities with each other. The trains have carriages of different classes with and without air conditioning. A world-famous restored train, which was built back in 1928, runs along one of the routes. Sri Lanka has Bandaranaike International Airport, located approximately 35 kilometers from. The airport was built by the British in 1940 and was initially used as a military airport.

Sights of Sri Lanka

Bambarakanda waterfall

Waterfall "Bridal Veil"

On the territory of the state there are famous Ceylon tea plantations, which was first brought here from China in 1824. In the second half of the 19th century, tea was first grown here on an industrial scale - James Taylor, a planter from Scotland, did this, planting about 80 hectares of land with tea.

1. In Sri Lanka, internal national conflicts occur quite often, so do not be surprised by the large number of military personnel on the streets and roadblocks. Train and bus stations in the country are usually surrounded by fences, and all passengers must show identification upon entry. In the southern part of the country the situation is somewhat calmer, so there are usually fewer checks here.

2. When visiting restaurants or cafes, pay attention to what the food you ordered is prepared from, since all the dishes here are spicy. To avoid misunderstandings, ask the waiter serving your table about the composition of a particular dish. You should choose sauces especially carefully. If you have eaten very spicy food, then you do not need to wash it down with water - it is better to eat bread or unleavened flatbread.

3. If you want to order tea in a cafe, take the trouble to explain how you need to brew it, since here they do it a little differently than in Europe.

4. The main dish in Sri Lanka is rice, which is served on a separate large plate, along with small saucers with various spices and seasonings.

5. Do not be alarmed if you are offered to buy soft drugs on the street - this is considered a common occurrence here, despite the fact that the laws of the country provide for the highest penalty for distribution and possession of drugs - the death penalty.

6. Be sure to wash your hands very thoroughly before eating. It is better to scald vegetables with boiling water. Water should be drunk exclusively from plastic bottles with factory caps.

7. Residents of the country are very friendly with tourists, although this attitude is not always pleasant, as sometimes it develops into intrusiveness (this mainly applies to local street vendors and tour guides).

8. In Sri Lanka, entry to many beaches is free, however, the beaches at some hotels are closed. Hunting animals and collecting corals is strictly prohibited here.

9. It is best to dress in the country in light clothes made of natural fabric in light shades. If you are going to climb the mountains, be sure to take warm clothes with you.

10. When visiting temples, you must take off your shoes and hats. It is prohibited to enter such places wearing short skirts and shorts, as well as bare shoulders and backs. Do not turn your back on Buddha statues, do not show your feet or the soles of shoes to others, do not take photographs of the local population without permission, and do not offend cows, as they are sacred animals here.

11. It is not at all necessary to leave a tip in restaurants or hotels. Sometimes they are included in the total bill for a service or meal.

12. The voltage in the local power supply is 230-240V, and the sockets are three-pin, so to use them you need to purchase a special adapter.

Inexperienced tourists who are not very well versed in geography are sometimes not only interested in where Sri Lanka is located on the world map, but also ask such stupid questions as, for example, “What country is this?” I remember after returning from my first trip to Sri Lanka, many of my friends and acquaintances said: “ Sri Lanka? Where is it?"It is not surprising that many people do not know where Sri Lanka is on the world map.
To begin with, we note that Sri Lanka is an island country. Previously, this island was called Ceylon. In general, it is stupid to ask what country this is, Sri Lanka, since Sri Lanka is an independent country within the borders of a large island.
Now let's answer the question of where exactly Sri Lanka is located. Former Ceylon is located in the Indian Ocean, between 5 and 10 degrees north latitude. The distance to India at the narrowest point of the strait dividing the countries is about 50 kilometers. The long but narrow island of Sri Lanka is home to 21 million people. Of these, Sinhalese constitute the largest proportion and Tamils ​​are the second largest population group.
Due to its favorable location in Southeast Asia and the northern Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka has always been considered an important location on many trade routes. The population of the island knew this and managed to properly take advantage of this advantage by exporting coconuts, spices and the world famous Ceylon tea and rubber.
Where is Sri Lanka on the world map? The island can be found fairly quickly at a glance at the map. To do this, you must first find the Indian Ocean, and at the very top of this ocean, to the right of India, you will see the island of Sri Lanka. Usually this island is marked on all general geographical maps.
Where is the capital of Sri Lanka? Colombo, the capital and economic center, is on the west coast and has coordinates of 7 degrees north latitude and 80 degrees east longitude. About 700,000 people live and work in Colombo. It is an important political and cultural center of Sri Lanka.

Area of ​​Sri Lanka, length, width and geographical coordinates

Belonging to the continent of Asia, Sri Lanka covers an area of ​​64,630 square kilometers of territory and 980 square kilometers of water area. This makes Sri Lanka the 123rd largest country in the world by land area, with a total area of ​​65,610 square kilometers.
Because Sri Lanka is big Island, then it is not correct to name any specific geographical coordinates. The northernmost major city, Jaffna, has the following coordinates: 9 degrees 40 minutes north latitude and 79 degrees 51 minutes east longitude. The southernmost major city, Halle, has coordinates: 6 degrees 2 minutes north latitude and 80 degrees 13 minutes east longitude.
The length of the island of Sri Lanka is 452 km, and the width at its widest point is 227 km.

Map of Sri Lanka with resorts in Russian

If you want to study in more detail the location of cities, resorts and other objects on the island, then you will need detailed map Sri Lanka with resorts in Russian. There are many maps of this island, but nowadays it is best to use interactive maps, one of which you will see below. This map allows you to find any object and zoom in to such a value that you can see any house on the streets of the cities of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka has a warm climate. From May to October there are often unpredictable storms, but the rest of the time you can enjoy gentle sea breezes. Sri Lanka rarely gets very hot, but the island's high humidity worries many Russian travelers. Climate-sensitive travelers usually need a few days to acclimatize. Depending on the region of the island, the air temperature during the day can fluctuate between 16 and 35 degrees. While in the wetter southwestern region of the island, especially from May to October, you can expect very a large number of precipitation, the northeastern region remains relatively dry. The sunniest weather in Sri Lanka usually occurs between January and April.
Most of Sri Lanka is covered tropical forests, which is typical for a region with a prevailing humid and warm climate. The enormous wealth of plants and trees is the result of these climatic conditions. The Bodhi Tree, the oldest tree in the world, defies all the unevenness of nature today and is truly attractive. In the north and east of the island, due to the drier climate, there are noticeably more bushes and shrubs.
Another gift of nature in Sri Lanka are the beautiful ones, which are appreciated by numerous tourists.
Sri Lanka's diverse fauna have adapted to the warm, humid climate. Animal lovers will be delighted to see monkeys jumping from tree to tree, Asian elephants and a beautiful palm squirrel, which is similar to the chipmunks we know. Even thousands of crawling animals feel very comfortable here.

Mountains of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka can be divided into three landscape zones. One of them is the mountainous terrain, where you can climb mountains up to 2500 meters high. This is also the area of ​​the world famous Ceylon tea. In the highlands of Sri Lanka you will find many attractions and very beautiful places, for example, the giant Bambarakanda waterfall. This waterfall is famous for the fact that the water here falls from a height of 240 meters.
Mountains occupy a fairly large area of ​​Sri Lanka, but still the largest part of the island is covered by tropical areas.
The third zone, which is the most popular among holidaymakers, is the coastal zone with beautiful beaches and a large number of coconut trees.

Hello friends!

Today I took a ride in my furious Enfield from Arambol to Kerim beach. And then he passed out like a knockout: he had no strength to work or cook. I can only listen to music. This is not the first time I have noticed such a feature when I go out into a crowded place. Either I’m grabbing other people’s bad energies, or I’m sick from the heat and climate...

Please write in the comments if you have encountered this? And how did you cope? So far, only a cool shower brings me more or less to my senses, and only every once in a while.

I remember the island of Ceylon, where we spent 2 months last year. And I remember that I also fell into a similar “blackout” within the confines of bazaars and noisy streets. Therefore, if you are looking for silence and solitude, I will tell you where it is better to go in Sri Lanka, not only to the hectic beaches, but also to the cold with fogs. By the way, I had a great time working remotely there.

Mountains are my favorite landscapes throughout the ages

In general, all the sights of Sri Lanka can be divided into 3 large groups (based on interests, let’s say): beach, mountain and cultural. The latter include not only ancient cities like Kandy or Anuradhapura, but also such legendary psychedelic places as the tomb of Adam and Eve or the Rama Bridge.

But I'll start with the most popular.

In general, the beaches of Sri Lanka are wildly popular among our fellow tourists. Consider the Sinhalese who have learned to babble in Russian on the narrow streets of Negombo. The sight, along with beer-addled vacationers, is not the most pleasant, of course, but all this is more than compensated by the stunning nature and friendliness local population(albeit with a huge amount of absolutely stupid desire to cheat for a rupee or two). About the latest in the country.

So, resorts. The best time is winter, especially in January and February, the weather in summer is very hot, and in early September it can rain. You can visit them calmly and independently!

Negombo

The beach town closest to the capital and the airport with a wide tourist infrastructure and a huge number of hotels for every taste and budget. You can easily rent a motorcycle for a long trip around the island or lie down while waiting for your next visa to India.

Among the obvious advantages of Negombo, there is one significant disadvantage. Especially for the female half of humanity: the number of spermotoxic degradants is simply off the charts. I am frankly at a loss as to the reasons for this situation, but the fact is clear. It is impossible to leave your girlfriend for a minute: immediately some creature with an obligatory hand in his pocket begins to get hooked. Therefore, I would only recommend staying here to those who have nowhere else to go. It is better to go to the South, to Hikkaduwa or Unawatuna.

Hikkaduwa

Big beach resort with an even larger selection of all the tourist delights. You can get here from Colombo in 3-4 hours by bus or in 2 hours by train. But you have to manage to squeeze into the latter, because in Sri Lanka trains with reserved seats run on very limited routes. But upon arrival there is a long beach with soft and fine sand; and the sea, into which the sun sets every day in incredible colors.

Here it is, the sunset sea of ​​Hikkaduwa

An incredibly strong Tsunami wave hit here in 2004, resulting in the death of a huge number of people. I already wrote about the tsunami museum earlier in a small one.

It’s crowded and hectic here, but if you live in a small apartment off to the side, it’s quite bearable. And everything is there: supermarkets, Saturday market, diving, snorkeling and surfing. And the prices are more than adequate.

Unawatuna

Unawatuna is an even more party and youthful place than Hikkaduwa. A picturesque area for long-term stays next to a very beautiful piece of colonial architecture - Galle Fort. Especially if you live away from all the bustle, behind the railway.

Here, according to National Geographic, is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

I am often asked which is better: Hikkaduwa or Unawatuna? I cannot give such an answer, you need to come and look at everything yourself. It seemed to me that Unawatuna was somehow more cozy. Most of it lies below the main road and is not so hectic there. But in Hikkaduwa there is a beach with an amazing ocean right next door.

Arugam Bay

A small and very rustic little place with huge stone piers. It is located on the east coast of the island, so on the beach, unlike Hikkaduwa, it is better to meet the sun than to see it off. Suitable for long-steers and those who need rural silence.

Trincomalee (Trinco)

Almost the most the best place Sri Lanka, where you can hang out in May and August. Either cyclones swirl like that, or some other typical local mysticism. The beaches in Trinco are also in complete order, and if in Hikkaduwa you are attacked by the ocean, insane in its fury, with waves, sunsets and wild surfers, then here there is relaxation and silence, because all the beaches are located along a large and cozy bay.

In addition to typical beach attractions, you can find WWII bases and even hot springs right there in the jungle. Of course, I somewhat doubt the relevance of the latter against the backdrop of eternal summer.

Tea, mountains and fogs

If you, like me, prefer fogs, the smell of taiga, waterfalls and coolness - you should go to the central highlands. Because there's a really cool story going on here. Quiet, measured and very fresh. I especially fondly remember Haputalle and Ella, where it was especially fun.

Kandy

The ancient capital of Ceylon. There is, however, a minimum of fog here. But the surrounding forests, tea hills and Buddhas are truly fascinating. There are also several tea factories in the area, where there are some super-old-school tea machines (or whatever they are called), which are shown in the museum to enchanted tourists right there in the city.

Lake in Kandy - wonderful

People have differing opinions about Kandy. Some people think it's vain, but I really liked it. But I wouldn’t hang around here for any long time (there’s nowhere to be found).

Ella

I’m talking about this wonderful place on the very edge of the Ceylon Highlands. Ella is a very small village, permeated with tourist orientation, coolness and thick fogs. There are several amazing viewing points, tea plantations and extremely picturesque waterfalls around. This is probably one of those places where I could hang for months.

By the way, in Ella, during one of them, I actively chased cats in order to 100% capture the delights of the surrounding space.

The highest mountain resort in Sri Lanka at an altitude of about 1800 m above level and one of the coldest places on the island. It is located at the foot of the highest point - Mount Pidurutalagala (barely able to pronounce it). Here, with tourism, everything is on a grand scale: a bunch of alpine-style hotels, a bunch of expensive cafes and a bunch of those who want to spend a few days away from the heat of the plains and coastal areas. All around is very beautiful: mountains, the same tea, which in Nuwara Eliya is considered one of the best, and even coniferous forests.

Here it is - the highest point in Sri Lanka

And in winter, as legends and locals say, frost sometimes falls at night. On my own behalf, I will say that in the absence of heating, it is very oaky here, especially when it rains. But all this is more than compensated for by the gorgeous surrounding beauties.

A very small village, located, like Ella, on the very edge of the highlands and rightfully considered the coldest place in Sri Lanka. There is absolutely no tourist infrastructure here, as well as more or less adequate housing options for a long stay.

Let's meet New Year in Haputale with Ippolit and Zhenya Lukashin

But he who seeks will find. Therefore, we discovered a wonderful little place called Bawa Guest House with a nice elderly couple of Muslim jewelers. That’s how the place began to be called: Uncle Bava’s. There is complete freedom all around for walks through the jungle and tea fields, and at night the clouds literally flow from one window of your home to another. Sit and watch!

My favorite Sri Lankan photo is the view from Haputale looking south

From here you can also organize a trip to the Horton Plains - mountain shrouds with incredibly clean air and an equally insane 30 USD per person for entry.

Ohiya

Another place for relaxation and flow in the heart of eucalyptus forests. If even Haputale seems noisy to you, go to Oia. Because it is very quiet here and, according to the locals, even water here can be easily collected from the stream and drunk without boiling. It's so clean.

Eucalyptus forests near Oia

Bandarawella and Badulla

Quite large transport and tourist hubs of the central highlands. From Badulla, for example, you can take a direct train to Colombo or Kandy. This is where the line of the stunningly beautiful mountain railway ends.

All around are the same tea fields, serpentines and night oak trees. It’s just a lot more bustling and crowded, so my clear favorites are Haputale and Ella. Where, despite the size, there is everything you need for a long hang.

Cultural and archaeological sites

I finished my favorite part about mountains and nature. Now I will touch on the cultural richness of the island. And with some degree of regret I will say that I knew absolutely nothing about him before coming here. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is one of the main hotbeds of Buddhism, where it has not only survived for 2 millennia, but has multiplied and spread its tentacles quite widely. At the beginning of our era, the teachings of the Buddha fell into decline and only thanks to the efforts of traveling monks it was carried to the most remote corners of Asia.

Sri Lanka seems to have got the most significant piece. Where else can you find Buddhist temples that have been in operation for over 2000 years? Where can you touch antiquity, the developments of which are still used today? I haven't found such a place yet...

The only downside to all these cultural fossils is the price of entry. In Sri Lanka, pricing in general is a complete mess. Entry to Horton Plateau costs $30. Go beyond the Anuradhapura gate - 35, etc. Sigiriya, who has nothing else besides aesthetic beauty, asks for 40 bucks. Well, etc.

And Kandy again

As I already wrote above, this is a rather picturesque place, rightfully considered almost cultural capital islands. But the main attraction here is the Temple of the Tooth Relic. No more and no less! I will say right away that you still won’t see the tooth itself, it is hidden from prying eyes somewhere in the depths of the temple, but you will be able to fully feel the ancient energy. Entrance price 1000 rupees (rate 1 dollar = 145 rupees)

Temple of the Tooth Relic

Dambulla

Ancient cave temples, about 2000 years old. The most important artifact of the place is a small stream of water, which during the rainy season suddenly begins to run up the walls. Either a miracle, or a trick... But for me, the place is very touristy, and in order to somehow feel the energy and character of the place, you have to hide in the farthest corners. Entrance price 1500 rupees (rate 1 dollar = 145 rupees)

cave temples of Badulla

Anuradhapura

If there are places where the antiquity is simply off the scale, then after the city of the dead Varanasi, I can only name Anuradhapura. A vast old city, a living archeology of 2,300-year-old stupas, and a Mahaboddhi tree grown from a branch of the Boddhi tree in Bodhgaya, India, where Buddha gained enlightenment. The Mahaboddhi of Anuradhapura is considered to be the oldest tree in the world with a documented history.

Entrance price 4500 rupees.

Pollonaruwa

Another place where travelers to Sri Lanka strive to get. The ancient capital of the island with the large Gal Vihara temple. If you are fans of antiquities and cultures, welcome. If not, then let's go to Ella.

Sigiriya

The strangest attraction, in my opinion. Because apart from its psychedelic-photogenic location, for me it is not particularly remarkable. Well, yes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Well, yes, it’s beautiful... But around you can find at least a couple of places where the view will be even cooler, and you don’t have to pay money for entry. Is it the fact of existence Buddhist monasteries at the top makes it something significant. The rest is a place promoted by the tourism industry, where package travelers are transported by huge buses.

Admission is $30.

Mannar Island

But this is a completely different matter! North of Sri Lanka. There are no tourists at all, just villages, Christians, churches and tuk-tuk drivers completely indifferent to our white faces. It is from here that the legendary chain of islands leads to India, called the Rama Bridge, and a few kilometers from it are the graves of Adam and Eve themselves, who, after the Fall, decided to live in Sri Lanka for a season. Not a bad option for earthly paradise?

Rama Bridge Islands

But all around is chaos worthy of the best examples of India. Heat, dust and donkeys. The sea and beaches are deserted and inaccessible.

Jaffna

The far north of Ceylon, which for a long time remained the center of LTTE separatist militants, until they were finally defeated by government forces in 2010. Until 2012, the city was closed to foreign tourists; apparently it was actively cleared of mines, tripwires, undead groups of Tamil Tigers and unexploded shells. And today you can even find KFC here.

Sri Lanka (Ceylon): flags, capital

The official capital of the island state of Sri Lanka is Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, and the country's largest city and actual capital is Colombo. The words "Sri Lanka" are traditionally translated from Sanskrit as "Blessed Land", although the more correct word is "Island" rather than "Land". The former name of Sri Lanka was Ceylon.

Modern complete official name countries - Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The official capital of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is a small town in the Colombo metropolitan area - largest city countries. Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte houses the country's parliament, as well as various government bodies and the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. Colombo, the de facto capital of the country, is also its administrative, political and economic center.

• Serendib (pre-Sinhala era),
• Tambapanni (from the founding of the Sinhalese state until the arrival of the Portuguese in 1505),
• Ceylon (from 1505 to 1815),
• British Ceylon from 1815 to 1948 (actually from 1817, since before that time the Kingdom of Kandy existed),
• Dominion of Ceylon from 02/04/1948 to 1972 (after gaining independence from Britain, the country became a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations),
• Republic of Sri Lanka from 1972 to 1978,
• Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka since 1978.

You can often come across a question about the correct placement of stress in the name of the country “Sri Lanka”: L A nka or lank A? However, based on the original name, neither of the two options will be correct. There is no emphasis in the word "Lanka", since the Sinhala language has no accent, but only long and short sounds, and in this case only short ones are used.

Flags of Ceylon and Sri Lanka

Throughout history, the colors and motifs of the flags of the island nation have changed several times. The following shows exactly how this has been expressed over the past two centuries.

History of changing flags of Sri Lanka

The modern state flag of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is the result of many years of transformation of its parts and elements since the state gained independence. The following shows the symbolism of the latest modern version of the national flag of Sri Lanka.

• 1815-02/04/1948 British Ceylon

A new flag was created, based on the British flag and placed on a blue background in the upper left corner and the symbols of the country (in the understanding of the British colonialists) in the form of a satellite in the middle on the right.

• 02/04/1948-03/02/1951 Dominion of Ceylon

In 1948, after the island was liberated from colonial rule by Great Britain, the new republic adopted the official flag of the last independent Kingdom of Kandy (1469-1815). It depicts the symbol of the country - a Sinhala lion with a raised sword in its paw and 4 decorative elements at the corners of the canvas.

• 03/02/1951-05/22/1972 Ceylon

Colored stripes have been added to the flag, occupying 1/7 of the flag's area - the colors of the country's ethno-religious minorities: Muslim Moors and Hindu Tamils.

• 1972 - present Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka

4 stylized leaves of the Bo tree (one of the symbols of Buddhism) were added to the composition at the corners of the flag, replacing the previous ornament.

Flag of the Republic of Sri Lanka: symbolism

After the flag of the Kingdom of Kandy was adopted as a basis, the changes and additions indicated above were made to it. Their appearance was primarily associated with interethnic problems in Sri Lankan society.

As a result, the interpretation of the symbolism of the national flag of Sri Lanka has been used by various political forces previously and continues to be used now in interests mainly aimed at increasing the severity of the national issue, rather than finding common ground.

The Sinhalese lion is the national symbol of Sri Lanka

After Ceylon gained independence from Britain in 1948, the question arose of creating a banner for the new republic. A special committee was created to develop the layout of the flag, which decided to return to the version of the flag of the last free Sinhala kingdom, used during the reign of King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha: it depicted a Sinhala lion on a burgundy background.

Considering that there are no lions in Sri Lanka, the choice of symbol would seem somewhat strange. However, the fact is that the appearance of the Sinhala lion symbol dates back to the time of Prince Vijaya, who landed on the island in 543 BC. with a flag with a lion on it. According to legend, the founder of the Sinhala nation came from India, where lions were found in large numbers at that time. Thus, having appeared as the flag of Prince Vijaya, over time the Sinhalese lion became established as a symbol of royal power. For example, the paws of a lion on the flag of the Kingdom of Kandy meant the stability of Sri Lanka, its steadfastness; and equal distances from the paws to the body and from the body to the top of the head symbolized the equality of the ruler and the law.