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Sri Lanka Governor General

Last modified: 2013-05-16 by ian macdonald
Keywords: sri lanka | ceylon | governor general |
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[Sri Lanka] image by Željko Heimer

Flag in use 1953-1972. 


See also:

Governor General (Dominion of Ceylon) (1948-1972)

This flag is no longer current. Sri Lanka is now a republic. I believe it became one in 1978 when the current constitution was adopted, although perhaps before that. Since the British Queen is not the head of state, there is no governor general to represent her. I would assume that there is a presidential flag, but don't recall
whether it appears in Album 2000.
Joe McMillan, 22 January 2003

The standard pattern for a Governor General, blue flag with the royal crest and the county name on a yellow scroll below. I guess that the flag was not introduced in 1948, but somewhat later.
Željko Heimer, 27 January 2003

From rulers.org, here is the list of Governors General that might have used the flag:

4 Feb 1948 - 6 Jul 1949 Sir Henry Monck-Mason Moore (b. 1887 - d. 1964)
6 Jul 1949 - 17 Jul 1954 Herwald Ramsbotham, Baron Soulbury (b. 1887 - d. 1971)
17 Jul 1954 - 2 Mar 1962 Sir Oliver Ernest Goonetilleke (b. 1892 - d. 1978)
2 Mar 1962 - 22 May 1972 William Gopallawa (b. 1897 - d. 1981)

Gopallawa became president in 1972. Prior to 1948 Sir Henry Monck-Mason Moore was the Governor of the British crown colony of Ceylon. I guess he would be using then the elephant and dagoba shrine badge Governor's flag until 1948.
Željko Heimer, 27 January 2003

Description of the flag

Blue field with St. Edwards crown surmounted by a crowned lion, and word CEYLON below, not in a scroll as is seen in many other flags of Governors General.


Old Governor General flag (1948-1953)

[Sri Lanka] image by Martin Grieve, 30 April 2013

Blue field with Tudor crown surmounted by a crowned lion, and word CEYLON below.  In use from independence to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.