National Hero is astatus an individual can receive inSri Lanka for those who are considered to have played a major role in fighting for the freedom of the country.[1] The status is conferred by thePresident of Sri Lanka. The recipients of the award are celebrated on a Sri Lankan national holiday, National Heroes’ Day, held annually on 22 May. Every year, the President and general public pay tribute by observing a two minutes silence in their memory.[2] The individuals are also celebrated onSri Lanka Independence Day, held on 4 February. In this, the President or Prime Minister will typically address the nation with a speech honouring the National Heroes. The award has only been awarded toSri Lankan citizens, but is not limited to this group.
The award of "National Hero of Sri Lanka" is currently the supreme civilian decoration in precedence inSri Lanka.[3][4] To date, the award has only been awardedposthumously.[5]
Recipients of the award range from the 18th century to the 20th century.[16] The recipients includePandara Vanniyan, aVanni chieftain, who died during a revolt against theBritish andDutch in Sri Lanka.[17] Other recipients are 19 leaders of theGreat Rebellion of 1817–18 (includingKeppetipola Disawe, late Desave of Ouva), 49 participants of theGreat Rebellion of 1817–18 who were sentenced to death by the Martial Court and 32 participants of theGreat Rebellion of 1817–18 who were declared as "betrayers" and expelled toMauritius by the Martial Court.[18][9][19] The final 2 groups were made national heroes on 11 September 2017.[20][21] The 19 Leaders of the Great revolution were made National Heroes on 8 December 2016.[22][23]
TheSri Lankan independence movement was a peaceful political movement which was aimed at achieving independence and self-rule for the country ofSri Lanka, thenBritish Ceylon, from theBritish Empire.[28][29] The switch of powers was generally known aspeaceful transfer of power from the British administration to Ceylon representatives, a phrase that implies considerable continuity with a colonial era that lasted 400 years.[30] It was initiated around the turn of the 20th century and led mostly by the educated middle class.[31] It succeeded when, on 4 February 1948, Ceylon was granted independence as theDominion of Ceylon.[32][33]Dominion status within the British Commonwealth was retained for the next 24 years until 22 May 1972 when it became a republic and was renamed theDemocratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.[13][34] The following persons were awarded as "National Heroes of Sri Lanka" for the part they played in theSri Lankan independence movement.
"Proclamation By His Excellency The President"(PDF).The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. 1998/25 (Extraordinary). Sri Lanka: Department of Government Printing. 21 December 2016.
"Proclamation By His Excellency The President"(PDF).The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. 2036/11 (Extraordinary). Sri Lanka: Department of Government Printing. 11 September 2017.
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