Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana Award

April 7, 2025

The Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana is the highest civilian honour awarded by Sri Lanka. It recognises foreign leaders who have encourageed strong ties with the nation. Recently, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi received this award during his state visit to Sri Lanka.

Background

The Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana was established in 2008 by then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
It aims to honour Heads of State and government officials who have shown solidarity with Sri Lanka.
The award is considered more prestigious than other national honours in Sri Lanka.
It signifies the importance of international relationships in the context of Sri Lankan diplomacy.

Significance

The award acknowledges the contributions of foreign leaders to the welfare and progress of Sri Lanka. The honour is a symbol of mutual respect and cooperation. It also serves to strengthen diplomatic ties between nations.

Components

The award consists of a silver medal adorned with nine Sri Lankan gems, known as Navarathna. The design features a globe surrounded by lotus petals. At the centre is a Pun Kalasa, symbolising prosperity. The medal also includes symbols of the Sun and Moon, along with a Dharma Chakra, representing shared Buddhist heritage. It is presented with a 6.5 cm wide ribbon for wearing around the neck.

Notable Recipients

Only four individuals have been awarded the Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana to date. The inaugural recipient was former Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in 2008. He was recognised for his contributions to regional cooperation and climate change initiatives. Palestinian leaders Mahmoud Abbas and Yasser Arafat (posthumously) were also honoured in 2014 for their diplomatic efforts.

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