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Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana
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| Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana ශ්රී ලංකා මිත්ර විභූෂණ சிறீ லங்கா மித்ர விபூஷண | |
|---|---|
 The medal of Sri Lanka Mithra Vibhushana Award. | |
Awarded by  The Government of Sri Lanka | |
| Type | Title of honor/Order of merit |
| Established | 2008 |
| Eligibility | Foreign nationals |
| Criteria | Exceptional and distinguished service to the nation |
| Status | Currently constituted |
| Statistics | |
| First induction | 2008 |
| Last induction | 2025 |
| Total inductees | 4 |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Veera Prathapa |
| Next (lower) | Sri Lanka Rathna |
 Ribbon of the medal | |
 | This article may contain an excessive amount of intricate detail that may interest only a particular audience. (April 2025) |
The Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana (Sinhala: ශ්රී ලංකා මිත්ර විභූෂණ, Tamil: சிறீ லங்கா மித்ர விபூஷண, Decoration of Sri Lankan Friendship) is a distinguished honor awarded by the Government of Sri Lanka to foreign Heads of State and Heads of Government. Established in February 2008 by President Mahinda Rajapaksa[1], this accolade recognizes exceptional and distinguished service to the nation, particularly in fostering friendly relations and solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka.
Design and Symbolism of the Medal
[edit]The decoration comprises a silver medal adorned with nine types of Sri Lankan gems, known as Navaratna.[2] The medal features symbolic elements:
- Dharma Chakra: Reflects the shared Buddhist heritage between Sri Lanka and the recipient's nation.
- Purna Kalasha (Ceremonial Pot): Adorned with sheaves of rice, symbolizing prosperity and renewal.
- Navaratna (Nine Precious Gems): Represents the enduring and priceless friendship between the two countries, depicted within a globe encircled by pure lotus petals.
- Sun and Moon: Signify the timeless bond stretching from the ancient past into the infinite future.
The accompanying ribbon is 6.5 cm wide, and the medal is designed to be worn around the neck. Recipients also receive a citation detailing their contributions.[2]
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Recognition
[edit]On 5 April 2025, during a visit to Sri Lanka, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honored with the Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.[3][4] [5][6]This recognition underscores Prime Minister Modi's significant contributions to strengthening bilateral ties and fostering goodwill between India and Sri Lanka.[7] During his visit, Prime Minister Modi also participated in the inauguration of a 120-megawatt solar power plant and the signing of key defense and energy agreements, further solidifying the partnership between the two nations.[8][9]
Significance of the Award
[edit]The Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana holds a prestigious position among Sri Lanka's national honors, taking precedence over other awards conferred upon non-Sri Lankans.[5][6] It serves as a testament to the recipient's exceptional role in enhancing diplomatic relations and reflects Sri Lanka's appreciation for international leaders who have demonstrated unwavering friendship and support. The meticulous design of the medal, incorporating culturally significant symbols and precious gems, embodies the deep-rooted connections and mutual respect between Sri Lanka and the honored individuals. [2]
In essence, the Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana not only honors distinguished foreign leaders but also symbolizes Sri Lanka's commitment to nurturing and acknowledging international friendships that contribute to the nation's growth and global standing.
Notable Recipients
[edit]Since its inception, the Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana has been conferred upon a select group of distinguished leaders:
- Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (President of the Maldives): Awarded on 13 February 2008.[1][2]
- Mahmoud Abbas (President of the Palestinian National Authority): Awarded on 2 January 2014.[1][2][10][11]
- Yasser Arafat (Posthumous, Former President of the Palestinian National Authority): Awarded on 2 January 2014.[1][2][10][11]
- Narendra Modi (Prime Minister of India): Awarded on 5 April 2025.[3][7][8][9]
Recipients
[edit] Living recipient
|
Posthumous recipient
|
| # | Year | Recipient | Field | Conferred by | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2008 | Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (1937) |
President of Maldives | Mahinda Rajapaksa | |
| 2 | 2014 | Mahmoud Abbas (1935) |
President of the Palestinian National Authority | Mahinda Rajapaksa | |
| 3 | 2014 | Yasser Arafat (1929–2008) |
Posthumous, Former President of the Palestinian National Authority | Mahinda Rajapaksa | |
| 4 | 2025 | Narendra Modi (1950) |
Prime Minister of India | Anura Kumara Dissanayake |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Two Palestinian Heads of State awarded Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana National Honour". Sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f "Lanka's blunder steals honour from Palestinian leaders | The Sundaytimes Sri Lanka". Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ a b psofzDmp (2025-04-05). "President Confers Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana Award on Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in appreciation of Friendship and Cooperation". President's Office. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ psofzDmp (2025-04-05). "President Confers Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana Award on Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in appreciation of Friendship and Cooperation". President's Office. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ a b "Modi conferred Sri Lanka's highest civilian honour 'Mitra Vibhushana' - Breaking News | Daily Mirror". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ a b Editor (2025-04-05). "PM Modi Awarded Sri Lanka Mithra Vibhushana, Country's Top Civil Honour for Advancing Shared Heritage". Asian Mirror. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ a b "India's Modi visits Sri Lanka to shore up defence and energy ties". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ a b "India and Sri Lanka sign defense and energy deals as Modi's visit strengthens ties". AP News. 2025-04-05. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ a b "India, Sri Lanka sign 1st defence deal, six other pacts during PM Modi's visit". India Today. 2025-04-05. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ a b "Sri Lankan national honor given to PA President Abbas and former PA President Arafat - government of Sri Lanka press release/Non-UN document". Question of Palestine. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ a b "Extraordinary Gazettes of 2014". documents.gov.lk. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
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