Flags and banners in Sri Lanka:A study on symbolizing the power and identity of individuals and communities

Abstract

In Sri Lanka, from ancient times to date, flags and banners are used for various reasons. There are many flags and banners used in Sri Lankan history from ancient time to the present by kings, queens, ministers, presidents, and various communities. In addition, in order to represent different kingdoms, various flags were used from the ancient period to the colonial period. In the post-colonial Sri Lanka, each and every elected president had also designed their own flag to represent themselves and their attitudes. Moreover, to the province, chieftain or the group, various symbols had been there in these flags and banners which represented traditional motifs. Most of these flags were creative and they showcased the talent of the designers. Thus, the main objective of this research paper is to explicate how heritage is being used as a soft power for flags and banners in ancient Sri Lanka to present. The research is conducted by analyzing the collected data from literature survey and field research method. From the analyzing, it was evident that in these flags, cultural and natural heritage is emphasized along with the power of political, economic, and social stability of whom the flag belonged.