Awards and decorations of the military of Sri Lanka
Encyclopedia
Awards and decorations of the Sri Lankan Military are military orders, decorations and medals
which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the Sri Lankan armed forces. Together with military badges, such awards are a means to outwardly display the highlights of a service member's career.
for participation in UN peace keeping opeartions
. However with a suspension of nominations for British honors in 1956, use of British decorations ceased in the Ceylon Armed Forces. Until Ceylon became a republic and a new form of military decorations were introduced in 1981 the following were used;
Military decoration
A military decoration is a decoration given to military personnel or units for heroism in battle or distinguished service. They are designed to be worn on military uniform....
which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the Sri Lankan armed forces. Together with military badges, such awards are a means to outwardly display the highlights of a service member's career.
Gallantry decorations & medals
- Parama Weera VibhushanayaParama Weera VibhushanayaParama Weera Vibhushanaya , is the highest Sri Lankan military decoration equivalent to the British Victoria Cross , or the United States Medal of Honor, that's awarded as a reward for all ranks of the tri services individual acts of gallantry...
(Supreme Heroic Decoration) - Weerodara VibhushanayaWeerodara VibhushanayaThe Weerodara Vibhushanaya medal and bar are the second highest Sri Lankan military decoration that is presented to soldiers and civilians as a reward for their individual acts of gallantry and prominent bravery of a most exceptional order performed which is of a non military nature of their own...
(Heroism Decoration) - Weera Wickrama VibhushanayaWeera Wickrama VibhushanayaWeera Wickrama Vibhushanaya Medal and Bar are the third highest Sri Lankan military decoration that is presented to officers and other ranks as a reward for individual acts of gallantry and conspicuous bravery which is of a military nature of a high order in the face of the enemy, carried out...
(Heroic Gallantry Decoration) - Rana Wickrama PadakkamaRana Wickrama PadakkamaThe Rana Wickrama Padakkama medal and bar are presented to Sri Lankan military officers and other ranks as a reward for individual or allied acts of heroism in facing the enemy and performed of their own accord.-How medal awarded:It is ordained that the decoration shall be granted to all ranks of...
(Combat Gallantry Medal) - Rana Sura PadakkamaRana Sura PadakkamaThe Rana Sura Padakkama is a medal presented to members of all ranks of the Military of Sri Lanka for individual and/or associated acts of heroism in facing the enemy and performed of their own accord. The decoration is presented by the President of Sri Lanka...
(Combat Excellence Medal)
Meritorious awards & medals
- Uththama Pooja Pranama PadakkamaUththama Pooja Pranama PadakkamaThe Uththama Pooja Pranama Padakkama is a medal presented to next of kin of all ranks of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces and the Sri Lanka Police who have been killed in action or listed missing in action during in the course of bravely fighting to defend the unitary status, territorial integrity...
(Meritorious Sacrifice Recognition Medal) - Desha Putra SammanayaDesha Putra SammanayaThe Desha Putra Sammanaya is a Sri Lankan military decoration, equivalent to United States Purple Heart that awarded to those who are killed or wounded in combat.-Eligibility:...
(Nation's son Award)
Service decorations & medals
- Vishista Seva VibhushanayaVishista Seva VibhushanayaThe Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya medal and bar are presented to Sri Lankan senior military officers of three services, given that their loyal service is of not less than 25 years and possess a perfectly flawless record of moral and military conduct, will be appropriate for the award...
(Distinguished Service Decoration) - Uttama Seva PadakkamaUttama Seva PadakkamaThe Uttama Seva Padakkama is presented to all ranks of the Regular Forces of the Sri Lankan military for valuable service and dedication to duty with the outstanding ability, merit and excellent conduct, given that they count not less than 15 years continuous and uninterrupted service and possess...
(Meritorious Service Medal) - Videsha Seva PadakkamaVidesha Seva PadakkamaThe Videsha Seva Padakkama medal will be granted to all ranks of the Regular and Volunteer Forces of the Army, Navy and Air Force of the Sri Lanka for active service outside the territorial limits of the Island, given that such service is linked with active service in an overseas military...
(Foreign Service Medal) - Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service MedalSri Lanka Armed Services Long Service MedalThe Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal shall be granted to All regular officers and other ranks of the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force, who complete 12 years continuous service and whose character and conduct have been irreproachable and who are recommended by their...
- Karyakshama Seva VibhushanayaKaryakshama Seva VibhushanayaThe Karyakshama Seva Vibhushanaya medal awarded to the commissioned officers is a reward for long, meritorious, loyal and valuable service of proven capacity in the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, and, is governed by the proclamation dated 07 January 1986...
(Efficient Service Decoration) - Karyakshama Seva PadakkamaKaryakshama Seva PadakkamaThe Karyakshama Seva Padakkama medal awarded to Warrant Officers and other ranks, is a reward for long, meritorious, loyal and valuable service of proven capacity in the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, and, is governed by the proclamation dated 7 January 1986. The medal shall not confer any...
(Efficient Service Medal) - Prashansaniya Seva VibhushanayaPrashansaniya Seva VibhushanayaThe Prashansaniya Seva Vibhushanaya medal awarded to commissioned officers is a reward for long, meritorious, loyal and valuable service of proven capacity in the Sri Lanka Volunteer Naval Force, and is governed by the proclamation dated January 31, 2000. The medal shall not confer any individual...
(Praiseworthy Service Decoration) - Prashansaniya Seva PadakkamaPrashansaniya Seva PadakkamaThe Prashansaniya Seva Padakkama medal awarded to Petty Officers, Leading Seaman and Seaman is a reward for long, meritorious, loyal, valuable, service and unblemished conduct in the Sri Lanka Volunteer Naval Force, and is governed by the proclamation dated January 31, 2000. The medal shall not...
(Praiseworthy Service Medal)
Campaign medals
- North and East Operations MedalNorth and East Operations MedalThe North and East Operations Medal is presented to all ranks of the Regular and Volunteer Forces of the military of the Republic of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Police, who have served in the Norther and Eastern provinces for an accumulated period of 3 years since July 23, 1983.-Areas of service...
- Purna Bhumi PadakkamaPurna Bhumi PadakkamaThe Purna Bhumi Padakkama is presented to all ranks of the Regular and Volunteer Forces of the military of the Republic of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Police, who have served in the districts of:* Jaffna since July 22, 1977....
- Vadamarachchi Operation MedalVadamarachchi Operation MedalThe Vadamarachchi Operation Medal is presented to all ranks of the Regular and Volunteer Forces of the military of the Republic of Sri Lanka, that who have served in Vadamarachchi Operation and the below mentioned tasks....
- Riviresa Campaign Services MedalRiviresa Campaign Services MedalThe Riviresa Campaign Services Medal is presented to all ranks of the Regular and Volunteer Forces of the military of the Republic of Sri Lanka and to those who have served in Operation Riviresa.-Who received the medal:...
- Northern Humanitarian Operations Medal
- Eastern Humanitarian Operations Medal
Coronation/Inauguration medals
- Ceylon Armed Services Inauguration MedalCeylon Armed Services Inauguration MedalThe Ceylon Armed Services Inauguration Medal was awarded to members of the Ceylon armed services who served during specified periods in 1949-1951 during its establishment.-External links:***-References:...
- 1951 - Queen Elizabeth II Coronation MedalQueen Elizabeth II Coronation MedalThe Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal was a commemorative medal made to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.-Issue:For Coronation and Jubilee medals, the practice up until 1977 was that United Kingdom authorities decided on a total number to be produced, then allocated a proportion to...
- 1953 - President's Inauguration MedalPresident's Inauguration MedalThe President's Inauguration Medal was granted to all regular officers and other ranks of the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force, but excluding those in the ranks of the Sri Lanka Cadet Corps, who were in service on the 04th February 1978 and who are recommended by the Commander...
- 1978
Anniversary medals
- Republic of Sri Lanka Armed Services MedalRepublic of Sri Lanka Armed Services MedalIt is ordained that the medal shall be awarded to all ranks of the Regular and Volunteer Forces of the Armed Service of the Republic of Sri Lanka, including officers but excluding those in the ranks of the Ceylon Cadet Corps, who were in service on the 22nd May 1972 and who are recommended by the...
- 1972 - Sri Lanka Army 25th Anniversary Medal - 1974
- Sri Lanka Army 50th Anniversary Medal - 1999
- Sri Lanka Navy 25th Anniversary Medal - 1975
- Sri Lanka Navy 50th Anniversary Medal - 2000
- Sri Lanka Air Force 25th Anniversary Medal - 1976
- Sri Lanka Air Force 50th Anniversary Medal - 2001
- 50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal - 1998
- Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force Centenary Medal
United Nations' Service Medal
The United Nations MedalUnited Nations Medal
The term United Nations Medal refers to one of several international decorations which are issued by the United Nations to the various militaries of the world for participation in joint international military and police operations such as peacekeeping, humanitarian efforts, and disaster relief...
for participation in UN peace keeping opeartions
- in the United Nations Interim Force in LebanonUnited Nations Interim Force in LebanonThe United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, or UNIFIL, was created by the United Nations, with the adoption of Security Council Resolution 425 and 426 on 19 March 1978, to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon which Israel had invaded five days prior, restore international peace and security,...
, in 1958 - in the United Nations Operation in the CongoUnited Nations Operation in the CongoOpération des Nations unies au Congo, abbreviated ONUC, was a United Nations peacekeeping force in Congo that was established after United Nations Security Council Resolution 143 of July 14, 1960...
, in 1960 http://www.army.lk/medals.php. - in the United Nations Security Force in West New Guinea, from October 1962 to April 1963
- in the United Nations India-Pakistan Observation Mission, in 1965, 1966
- in the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan
- in the United Nations Operation in MozambiqueUnited Nations Operation in MozambiqueThe United Nations Operations in Mozambique was established in October 1992 under Security Council Resolution 797 on the basis of a report submitted by the Secretary-General....
, from 1992 to 1994 - in the United Nations Truce Supervision OrganizationUnited Nations Truce Supervision OrganizationThe United Nations Truce Supervision Organization is an organization founded on 29 May 1948 for peacekeeping in the Middle East. Its primary task was providing the military command structure to the peace keeping forces in the Middle East to enable the peace keepers to observe and maintain the...
- in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in HaitiUnited Nations Stabilization Mission in HaitiThe United Nations Stabilisation Mission In Haiti , also known as MINUSTAH, an acronym of the French translation, is a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Haiti that has been in operation since 2004. The mission's military component is led by the Brazilian Army and the force commander is...
, since 2004.
Former decorations & medals
From its formation in 1949 the Ceylon Armed Forces used British military decorationMilitary awards and decorations of the United Kingdom
Awards and decorations of the British Military are military orders, decorations and medals which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the British armed forces...
. However with a suspension of nominations for British honors in 1956, use of British decorations ceased in the Ceylon Armed Forces. Until Ceylon became a republic and a new form of military decorations were introduced in 1981 the following were used;
- Officer of the Order of the British EmpireOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(Military Division) - Member of the Order of the British EmpireOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(Military Division) - Ceylon Armed Services Long Service MedalCeylon Armed Services Long Service MedalThe Ceylon Armed Services Long Service Medal was a service medal of Ceylon from 1968 to 1972. It was granted to all ranks of the Regular Forces of the Ceylon Army, Royal Ceylon Navy and Royal Ceylon Air Force, who complete 12 years service as defined in the regulations of the respective warrants...
(1961 - 1972) - Efficiency Decoration (Ceylon)Efficiency DecorationThe Efficiency Decoration is a defunct medal of Britain and the Commonwealth awarded for long service in the Territorial Army of the UK, the Indian Volunteer Forces and Colonial Auxiliary Forces....
- Efficiency Medal (Ceylon)Efficiency MedalThe Efficiency Medal was a medal of Britain and the Commonwealth awarded for long service in the Territorial Army of the UK, the Indian Volunteer Forces and Colonial Auxiliary Forces....
Order of wear
The medals are to be won in the following order;- Parama Weera Vibhushanaya
- Weerodara Vibhushanaya
- Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya
- Rana Wickrama Padakkama
- Rana Sura Padakkama
- Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya
- Uttama Seva Padakkama
- Videsha Seva Padakkama
- Republic of Sri Lanka Armed Services Medal-1972
- Sri Lanka Army 25th Anniversary Medal-1974
- Sri Lanka Army 50th Anniversary Medal-1999
- Sri Lanka Navy 50th Anniversary Medal-2000
- Sri Lanka Navy 25th Anniversary Medal-1975
- Sri Lanka Air Force 50th Anniversary Medal-2001
- Sri Lanka Air Force 25th Anniversary Medal-1976
- Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal-1953
- Ceylon Armed Services Long Service Medal
- Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal
- President's Inauguration Medal-1978
- 50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal-1998
- Desha Putra Sammanaya
- North and East Operations Medal
- Purna Bhumi Padakkama
- Vadamarachchi Operation Medal
- Riviresa Campaign Services Medal
- Karyakshama Seva Vibhushanaya
- Kariyakshama Seva Padakkama
- Prashansaniya Seva Vibhushanaya
- Prashansaniya Seva Padakkama
- Ceylon Armed Services Inauguration Medal
- Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force Centenary Medal
- Northern Humanitarian Operations Medal
- Eastern Humanitarian Operations Medal
- United Nations' Service Medal