Awards and decorations of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces

The Sri Lankan Armed Forces award medals and their associated ribbon bars in recognition of various levels of service, personal accomplishments and commemorative events while a regular- or volunteer serviceperson is a member of the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and the Sri Lanka Air Force. Together with military badges, such awards are a means to outwardly display the highlights of a serviceperson's career.

Medals for gallantry

An Air Force serviceman in parade uniform, with medals pinned on left breast

Parama Weera Vibhushanaya (Order of the Supreme Valour)
Weerodara Vibhushanaya (Order of Courage)
Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya (Order of Conspicuous Gallantry)
Rana Wickrama Padakkama (Combat Gallantry Medal)
Rana Sura Padakkama (Combat Excellance Medal)

Sri Lanka orders

Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya (Distinguished Service Order)
Karyakshama Seva Vibhushanaya (Efficient Service Order) (Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force)
Prashansaniya Seva Vibhushanaya (Commendable Service Order) (Sri Lanka Volunteer Naval Force)

Wound medals

Uththama Pooja Pranama Padakkama (Medal of Honour for Supreme Sacrifice)
Desha Putra Sammanaya (Son of the Nation Award)

Medals for long service and good conduct

Uttama Seva Padakkama (Meritorious Service Medal)
Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal
Karyakshama Seva Padakkama (Efficient Service Medal) (Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force)
Prashansaniya Seva Padakkama (Commendable Service Medal) (Sri Lanka Volunteer Naval Force)
Videsha Seva Padakkama (Foreign Service Medal)

War service medals

All of Sri Lanka's campaign medals (as at December 2020) center around those that were part of the Sri Lankan Civil War. As such, the campaigns took place in the North and East of the island, shown here

Peacetime service medals

Sewabhimani Padakkama (Meritorious Service Medal)
Sewa Padakkama (Service medal)

Commemorative medals

Ceylon Armed Services Inauguration Medal - 1951
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal - 1953
Republic of Sri Lanka Armed Services Medal - 1972
Sri Lanka Army 25th Anniversary Medal - 1974
Sri Lanka Navy 25th Anniversary Medal - 1975
Sri Lanka Air Force 25th Anniversary Medal - 1976
President's Inauguration Medal - 1978
Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force Centenary Medal - 1981 (Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force)
50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal - 1998
Sri Lanka Army 50th Anniversary Medal - 1999
Sri Lanka Navy 50th Anniversary Medal - 2000
Sri Lanka Air Force 50th Anniversary Medal - 2001
75th Independence Day Commemoration Medal - 2023

United Nations Service Medals

A Sri Lankan UN peacekeeper in Carrefour, Haiti in 2010

The United Nations Medal for participation in UN peacekeeping operations:

United Nations Operation in the Congo (MONUC) - 1960^[1]
United Nations Security Force in West New Guinea - October 1962 to April 1963^[2]
United Nations India-Pakistan Observation Mission - 1965, 1966
United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan
United Nations Operation in Mozambique - 1992 to 1994
United Nations Truce Supervision Organization^[3]
United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti - since 2004^[4]
United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon - since 2010^[5]
United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) - since 2014^[6]
United Nations Mission in South Sudan - since 2015^[6]
United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) - since December 2017^[7]^[8]
United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti - since 2017^[9]
United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNIFSA)^[6]
United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINUSRO)^[6]

Former decorations and medals

Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, possessed a small standing armed force of its own. Here, Prime Minister D. S. Senanayake watches the Ceylon Light Infantry training at the Echelon Barracks in the 1950s

Dominion of Ceylon (1949 - 1972)

From its formation in 1949, the Ceylon Armed Forces continued the use of British military decorations. This was discontinued in 1956 with a suspension of nominations for British honours; until Sri Lanka's republican constitution of 1972, the following awards were used:

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (Military Division) (suspended in 1956)
Member of the Order of the British Empire (Military Division) (suspended in 1956)
Efficiency Decoration (Ceylon) (1930 - 1972)
Efficiency Medal (Ceylon) (1930 - 1972)
Decoration for Officers of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (1938-1950)
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (1938-1950)
Queen's Medal for Champion Shots in the Military Forces (1954-1966)
Ceylon Armed Services Long Service Medal (1961 - 1972)
General Service Medal (Malaya Clasp) (1949 to Ceylon Pioneers)^[10]

Colonial (pre-1948)

Imperial and local medals awarded for military service to the colony and empire.

Capture of Ceylon Medal (1807)
Ceylon Medal (1818)^[11]
Volunteer Officers' Decoration (1892-1930)
Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies (1892-1930)
Queen's South Africa Medal (1989-1900 for service with the British Imperial Forces)
King Edward VII Coronation Medal (1902)
King George V Coronation Medal (1911)
British War Medal (1914-1918 for service with the British Army)
Victory Medal (1914-1918 for service with the British Army)
Ceylon Volunteer Service Medal (1914-1919)
King George V Silver Jubilee Medal (1935)
King George VI Coronation Medal (1937)
War Medal 1939–1945 (1939-1945)
Defence Medal (1939-1945)
Burma Star (1939-1945 for service with the British Army)
Africa Star (1939-1945 for service with the Royal Army Service Corps)
1939-1945 Star (1939-1945 for service with the Royal Air Force)
Air Crew Europe Star (1939-1945 for service with the Royal Air Force)

Order of precedence

The various decorations and medals are worn in the order stipulated for each service by its service commander.

Sri Lanka Army

The order in which decorations and medals are to be worn have been defined in the Dress Regulation of the Sri Lanka Army.^[12]^[13]

SLA officer displaying ribbon bars in order of precedence.

Award	Postnominals	Established
Parama Weera Vibhushanaya	PWV	1981
Weerodara Vibhushanaya	WV	1981
Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya	WWV	1981
Rana Wickrama Padakkama	RWP	1981
Rana Sura Padakkama	RSP	1981
Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya	VSV	1981
Karyakshama Seva Vibhushanaya^[a] (Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force)	KSV	1972
Uttama Seva Padakkama	USP	1981
Karyakshama Seva Padakkama^[a] (Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force)	KSP	1972
Desha Putra Sammanaya	-	1972
Eastern Humanitarian Operations Medal	-	2010
Northern Humanitarian Operations Medal	-	2010
Purna Bhumi Padakkama	-	1977
North and East Operations Medal	-	1983
Vadamarachchi Operation Medal	-	1983
Riviresa Campaign Services Medal	-	1996
Queen’s Medal for Best Shooter in the Army	-	1954
Republic of Sri Lanka Armed Services Medal	-	1972
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal	-	1953
Sri Lanka Army 25th Anniversary Medal^[a]	-	1974
50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal	-	1998
75th Independence Day Commemoration Medal	-	2023
Sri Lanka Army 50th Anniversary Medal^[a]	-	1999
Ceylon Armed Services Long Service Medal (Replaced by the Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal)	-	1968
Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal	-	1979
President's Inauguration Medal	-	1978
Ceylon Armed Services Inauguration Medal	-	1955
Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force Centenary Medal	-	1981
Sewabhimani Padakkama	-	2019
Sewa Padakkama	-	2019
Videsha Seva Padakkama	-	1981
United Nations Medals	-	Various

Sri Lanka Navy

^[14]

SLN officer displaying ribbon bars in order of precedence.

Award	Postnominals	Established
Parama Weera Vibhushanaya	PWV	1981
Weerodara Vibhushanaya	WV	1981
Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya	WWV	1981
Rana Wickrama Padakkama	RWP	1981
Rana Sura Padakkama	RSP	1981
Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya	VSV	1981
Uttama Seva Padakkama	USP	1981
Videsha Seva Padakkama	-	1981
Republic of Sri Lanka Armed Services Medal	-	1972
Sri Lanka Navy 50th Anniversary Medal^[a]	-	2000
Sri Lanka Navy 25th Anniversary Medal^[a]	-	1975
Ceylon Armed Services Long Service Medal (Replaced by the Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal)	-	1968
Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal	-	1979
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal	-	1953
President's Inauguration Medal	-	1978
50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal	-	1998
75th Independence Day Commemoration Medal	-	2023
Desha Putra Sammanaya	-	1972
Sewabhimani Padakkama	-	2019
Sewa Padakkama	-	2019
Eastern Humanitarian Operations Medal	-	2010
Northern Humanitarian Operations Medal	-	2010
Purna Bhumi Padakkama	-	1977
North and East Operations Medal	-	1983
Vadamarachchi Operation Medal	-	1983
Riviresa Campaign Services Medal	-	1996
Prashansaniya Seva Vibhushanaya^[a] (Sri Lanka Volunteer Naval Force)	PSV	2000
Prashansaniya Seva Padakkama^[a] (Sri Lanka Volunteer Naval Force)	PSP	2000
Ceylon Armed Services Inauguration Medal	-	1955

Sri Lanka Air Force

^[15]

SLAF officer displaying ribbon bars in order of precedence.

Award	Postnominals	Established
Parama Weera Vibhushanaya	PWV	1981
Weerodara Vibhushanaya	WV	1981
Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya	WWV	1981
Rana Wickrama Padakkama	RWP	1981
Rana Sura Padakkama	RSP	1981
Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya	VSV	1981
Uttama Seva Padakkama	USP	1981
Videsha Seva Padakkama	-	1981
Republic of Sri Lanka Armed Services Medal	-	1972
Sri Lanka Air Force 25th Anniversary Medal^[a]	-	1976
Sri Lanka Air Force 50th Anniversary Medal^[a]	-	2001
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal	-	1953
Ceylon Armed Services Long Service Medal (Replaced by the Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal)	-	1968
Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal	-	1979
President's Inauguration Medal	-	1978
50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal	-	1998
75th Independence Day Commemoration Medal	-	2023
Desha Putra Sammanaya	-	1972
Sewabhimani Padakkama	-	2019
Sewa Padakkama	-	2019
Eastern Humanitarian Operations Medal	-	2010
Northern Humanitarian Operations Medal	-	2010
Purna Bhumi Padakkama	-	1977
North and East Operations Medal	-	1983
Vadamarachchi Operation Medal	-	1983
Riviresa Campaign Services Medal	-	1996
Ceylon Armed Services Inauguration Medal	-	1955
United Nations Medals	-	Various

Notes

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j Equivalent

References

^ "1960: Sri Lankan contribution to United Nations Peacekeeping". United Nations Sri Lanka.
^ "West New Guinea- UNSF". United Nations Peacekeeping. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
^ "UN Medals: UNTSO". un.org. United Nations. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
^ "UN decorates 200 Sri Lankan peacekeepers - Haiti". Defence.lk. 8 November 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-09-11.
^ "Army Contingent for UN Mission in Lebanon ready to leave". english.dailyceylon.com. Daily Ceylon. 8 February 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "UN introduces new rules for SL peace keeping troops: Army awaits HRC clearance". dailymirror.lk. Daily Mirror. 27 March 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
^ "Army Chief eyes bigger deployment in Mali". island.lk. The Island. 22 December 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
^ "Sri Lanka Army Completes Its Commitment to UN Assignments in Mali". Sri Lanka Army. army.lk. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
^ "Troop and police contributors". United Nations Peacekeeping. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
^ "TERMS OF AWARD OF THE NAVAL GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL AND THE GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL (ARMY AND ROYAL AIR FORCE)" (PDF). defence.gov.au. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
^ Narbeth, Colin (1971). Collecting Military Medals: A Beginner's Guide. Cambridge: The Lutterworth Press. p. 52. ISBN 0718890094. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
^ "Medals". army.lk. Sri Lanka Army. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
^ "Dress Regulation". army.lk. Sri Lanka Army. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
^ "Medal". navy.lk. Sri Lanka Navy. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
^ "Decorations & Medals". airforce.lk. Sri Lanka Air Force. Retrieved 29 April 2018.

External links

[fn1-14] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j Equivalent

[1] "1960: Sri Lankan contribution to United Nations Peacekeeping". United Nations Sri Lanka.

[2] "West New Guinea- UNSF". United Nations Peacekeeping. Retrieved 29 April 2018.

[3] "UN Medals: UNTSO". un.org. United Nations. Retrieved 29 April 2018.

[4] "UN decorates 200 Sri Lankan peacekeepers - Haiti". Defence.lk. 8 November 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-09-11.

[5] "Army Contingent for UN Mission in Lebanon ready to leave". english.dailyceylon.com. Daily Ceylon. 8 February 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2018.

[SLHRC-6] "UN introduces new rules for SL peace keeping troops: Army awaits HRC clearance". dailymirror.lk. Daily Mirror. 27 March 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2018.

[7] "Army Chief eyes bigger deployment in Mali". island.lk. The Island. 22 December 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2018.

[8] "Sri Lanka Army Completes Its Commitment to UN Assignments in Mali". Sri Lanka Army. army.lk. Retrieved 27 March 2018.

[9] "Troop and police contributors". United Nations Peacekeeping. Retrieved 29 April 2018.

[10] "TERMS OF AWARD OF THE NAVAL GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL AND THE GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL (ARMY AND ROYAL AIR FORCE)" (PDF). defence.gov.au. Retrieved 3 April 2022.

[11] Narbeth, Colin (1971). Collecting Military Medals: A Beginner's Guide. Cambridge: The Lutterworth Press. p. 52. ISBN 0718890094. Retrieved 30 April 2018.

[12] "Medals". army.lk. Sri Lanka Army. Retrieved 29 April 2018.

[13] "Dress Regulation". army.lk. Sri Lanka Army. Retrieved 18 May 2022.

[15] "Medal". navy.lk. Sri Lanka Navy. Retrieved 7 December 2020.

[16] "Decorations & Medals". airforce.lk. Sri Lanka Air Force. Retrieved 29 April 2018.

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