The Lion is the national symbol of people living in Sri Lanka for many thousands of Years. Lion symbol can be seen on numerous ancient historical sites all aver Sri Lanka. One of the most famous being the Ancient Rock fortress 'Sigiriya' meaning Lions Rock. Three different ancient clans living in ancient Sri Lanka Yaksha, Naga and Deva were united under the Lions symbol and the Lion flag. Lion flag and the Lion symbol had represented the people living in present day Sri Lanka for thousands of years and the people living in the Island were call as 'Sinhaleese' Lion people and the country call 'Sinhale' land of the lion people.
Ravana the great, the ancient legendary emperor of Sri Lanka ( at that time call Lanka ) used Lion Flag and the Sun and Moon flag during his conquests as the Royal Standard more than 5000 years back. Sanchi Thupa in India build by the Emperor Asoka the Great has a stone carving depicting King Vijaya caring the Lions flag. Lion flag and the Lion symbol was in it was used as the Royal Standard and the National flag by ancient kings of present day Sri Lanka on a continues basis for over 2600 years.
Sri Wikrama Rajasinghe the last king of Sri Lanka used lion flag as his Royal standard until 2nd of March 1815. Until the singing of Kandyian Treaty between British empire and the Sinhalese noblemen in Kandy to hand over the sovereignty of the Island to the British.
Ancient Lion flag was hoisted on the Independence day on 04th of February 1948. It was used as the national flag of the Dominion of Ceylon from 1948 to 1951. Then the government at that time which did not enjoy a clear majority in parliament with out a mandate from the people, decided to change the historic flag of the country.
We request the President of Sri Lanka, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, the Leader of the Opposition and all the members of the parliament to let the people of Sri Lanka exercise their democratic rights in deciding on the National flag of Sri Lanka by calling on a national referendum on the matter.
