From the 5th century BC the Lion flag was a symbol of the Sinhalese people. The flag was replaced by the Union Jack in 1815 but readopted upon independence in 1948. The stripes of green (for Muslims) and orange (for Hindus) were added in 1951. In 1972 four leaves of the Bo tree were added as a symbol of Buddhism; the leaves were altered in 1978.

Sri Lanka Official name:Sri Lanka Prajatantrika Samajavadi Janarajaya (Sinhala); Ilangai Jananayaka Socialisa Kudiarasu (Tamil) (Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka). Form of government: unitary multiparty republic with one legislative house (Parliament [225]). Head of state and government: President assisted by Prime Minister. Population (1998): 18,729,000. Population projection: (2000) 19,153,000; (2010) 21,258,000. Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1997): 12.0 (world avg. 15.7). Gross national product (1996): U.S.$13,475,000,000 (U.S.$740 per capita).

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