Appreciating the extraordinary services…
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An honours ceremony of a country is celebrated to highlight the people who have contributed from their sweat and blood to build up a country in an extraordinary manner.
The purpose of awarding these titles is to felicitate and appreciate the great service rendered to the country to uplift the standards and its pride, as well as to recognize the selfless dedication rendered towards the progress of the motherland.
Deshamanya
This award appreciates the highly notable and exceptional meritorious service rendered to the nation was firstly inducted in 1986. It is the second highest awarded title to a Sri Lankan and is awarded by the government as a civil award. The title “Deshamanya” is generally used as a prefix to the receiver’s name.
Deshabandu
The Deshabandu award is the title that stands next in line to the Deshamanya title. It is awarded for individuals who had done highly meritorious and great service to the nation.
It comprises of a citation and a silver medal with the symbol of a peacock. The title Deshabandu is usually prefixed with the receiver’s name and the title is held by no more than 150 living holders at a time.
Vidya Jyothi
This is the highest national award for science; commending the outstanding scientific and technological achievements of novel research in a chosen field, conducted independently contributing to the development of the country.
The title is conventionally used before the receiver’s name and is ranked lower than Veera chudamani.
Kala Keerthi
This is the highest national award for arts awarded in Sri Lanka which includes the fields of arts, culture and drama.
This award recognizes unique achievements in the fields of arts and recognizes the unique achievements in the field of arts through research and/or spontaneous talents and for the contributions made for the progress of such fields. The title is usually placed before the name and it is ranked below Vidya Jyothi award.
Lanka Shikamanee
This is awarded for the great service done for the country in a common nature.
Vidya Nidhi
This is awarded for exemplary achievements in science and technology. The title is prefixed to the receiver’s name and is ranked below Lanka Shikamanee
Kalashoori
The kalashoori award is granted to appreciate the contribution made to the progress and the development in the field of art, culture and drama.
The title is prefixed to the receiver’s name and it is ranked after the Vidya Nidhi award.
Sri Lankathilaka
Sri Lankathilaka is ranked below the kalashoori award and is a non-titular title awarded for the courageous acts and services done for the nation
Sri Lanka Rathna
This is the first ever highest national honorary award offered by Sri Lanka for non-nationals to recognize the exceptional and outstanding service rendered to the nation. It comprises of a citation and a gold medal studded with “navaratnas”(nine gems) with a “Manel flower” which is the national flower.
Sri Lanka Ranjana
This is the second highest national honour presented in recognition of noteworthy services delivered by the non-nationals for their praiseworthy service especially towards Sri Lanka and/or for the mankind in general.
-Madhusha Dep-