Sri Lanka — World Flags

The story behind the answer

Sri Lanka is correct. The lion with a sword symbolizes the Sinhala heritage and courage, while the four Bo (sacred fig) leaves in the corners reflect Buddhism and the Four Sublime States: loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity. The maroon field represents the Sinhalese majority; the orange and green stripes honor the Tamil and Muslim communities, signaling unity in diversity.

Historically, the lion emblem comes from ancient royal standards and was restored after independence (1948), with updates when Ceylon became Sri Lanka in 1972. Memory tip: “Sri LION-ka”—think of the lion and sword. The distinct Bo leaves further set it apart from flags of Afghanistan, Tajikistan, or the Philippines.