Medals

Parama Weera Vibhushanaya (Supreme Heroism Decoration), is the highest Sri Lankan military decoration equivalent to the ‘British Victoria Cross’ (which was the highest decoration in the Ceylon Army till 1972), or ‘Medal of Honour’ of the United States. It is ordained that the Decoration shall be granted to all ranks of the Regular and Volunteer Forces of the Army, Navy and Air Force of the Republic of Sri Lanka for Individual acts of gallantry and conspicuous bravery of the most exceptional order in the face of the enemy performed voluntarily whilst on active service and with no regard to the risk of his own life and security with the objective of safeguarding there by the lives of his comrades or facilitating the operational aim of his force and are recommended by the Commander of the Army, the Commander of the Navy or the Commander of the Air Force to receive the award. The recipient of the decoration will be entitled to use the symbol ‘PWV’ after his/her name.

It is ordained that the Decoration shall be granted to all ranks of the Regular and Volunteer Forces of the Army, Navy and Air Force of the Republic of Sri Lanka for Individual acts of gallantry and conspicuous bravery of a non-military nature of the most exceptional order performed voluntarily with no regard to his own life and security with the objective of saving or safeguarding the life or lives of a person or personnel imperilled by death or for a meritorious act or a series of acts of a humane nature of an exceptional order displayed in saving life from drowning, fire and rescue operations in mines, floods and similar calamities under circumstances of grave bodily injury or great danger to the life of the rescuer and are recommended by the Commander of the Army, the Commander of the Navy or the Commander of the Air Force to receive the award. The recipient of the decoration will be eligible to use the symbol ‘WV’ after his name.

It is ordained that the Decoration shall be granted to all ranks of the Regular and Volunteer Forces of the Army, Navy and Air Force of the Republic of Sri Lanka for Individual acts of gallantry and conspicuous bravery of a military nature of a high order in the face of the enemy performed voluntarily whilst on active service without regard for his own security with the objective of safeguarding thereby the lives of his comrades or facilitating the operational aim of his force or for a meritorious act or a series of acts of a humane nature of a high order displayed in saving life from drowning, fire and rescue operations in mines, floods and similar calamities under circumstances of bodily injury or danger to the life of the rescuer as recommended by the Commander of the Army, the Commander of the Navy or the Commander of the Air Force to receive the award. The recipient of the decoration will be eligible to use the symbol ‘WWV’ after his name.

It is ordained that the Decoration shall be granted to all ranks of the Army, Navy and Air Force of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka for Individual or associated acts of bravery in the face of the enemy and performed voluntarily and are recommended by the Commander of the Army, the Commander of the Navy or the Commander of the Air Force to receive the award. The recipient of the decoration will be entitled to use the symbol ‘RWP’ after his/her name.

It is ordained that the Decoration shall be granted to all ranks of the Army, Navy and Air Force of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka for distinguished conduct in the face of the enemy and are recommended by the Commander of the Army, the Commander of the Navy or the Commander of the Air Force to receive the award. The recipient of the decoration will be entitled to use the symbol ‘RSP’ after his/her name.

It is ordained that the Decoration shall be granted to Senior Officers of the Regular Force of the Army, Navy and Air Force of the Republic of Sri Lanka for exceptional, distinguished and loyal service provided they count not less than twenty-five years of service and possess an unblemished record of moral and military conduct. The recipient of the decoration will be entitled to use the symbol ‘VSV’ after his/her name.

It is ordained that the period of service requisite to qualify for the Decoration shall be an aggregate of eighteen years of Efficient Commissioned Service on the Active List of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, provided that the period of service so rendered has not been previously rewarded by any other Decoration for Efficient Service in the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force. The recipient of the decoration will be entitled to use the symbol ‘KSV’ after his/her name.

It is ordained that the medal shall be granted to all ranks of the Regular Force of the Army, Navy and Air Force of the Republic of Sri Lanka for valuable service and devotion to duty marked by exceptional ability, merit and exemplary conduct provided they completed a period of not less than fifteen years reckonable service and possess an unblemished record of moral and military conduct as at the date of recommendation is made. The recipient of the medal will be entitled to use the symbol ‘USP’ after his/her name

It is ordained that the Medal shall be awarded to Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Men of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force who have completed an aggregate of eighteen years of Efficient Service on the active list of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, provided that the period of service so rendered has not been previously rewarded by any other Medal for Efficient Service in the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force.

It is ordained that the Decoration shall be granted to all ranks of the Army, Navy and Air Force of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka who are wounded whilst on operation by enemy action and such injury is classified at least as ‘moderately severe’ by the medical authorities or are killed as a consequence of such injury of enemy action and are recommended by the Commander of the Army, the Commander of the Navy or the Commander of the Air Force to receive the award.

It is ordained that the decoration shall be awarded to the Minister of Defence, Deputy Minister of Defence, Secretary Defence, Service Commanders, Inspector General of Police, all Military Personnel on active service along with civilian doctors and their staff, Police personnel, civilians who were employed by the services and took part actively in the execution of the East Humanitarian Operation during the period of 28 July 2006 to 10 July 2007.

It is ordained that the decoration shall be awarded to the Minister of Defence, Deputy Minister of Defence, Secretary Defence, Service Commanders, Inspector General of Police and all Military Personnel on active service along with civilian doctors and their staff, Police personnel, civilians who were employed by the services and took part actively in the execution of the North Humanitarian Operation during the period of 26th February, 2007 to 18th May 2009.

It is ordained that the medal shall be granted to all ranks of the Army, Navy and Air Force of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka who have served in the district of Jaffna since 22 july 1977 and Districts of Vavunia, Kilinochci, Mulaitivu, Mannar, Baticalo, Trincomalee and Ampara since 16 September 1983 to 01 January 2010.

It is ordained that the medal shall be granted to all Military personnel who have served for an accumulated period of 3 years in the Districts of Jaffna, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, Mullative, Mannar, Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Ampara in Divisional Secretaries Divisions of Nochchiyagama, Nuwaragampalatha (Central) and Wilachchiya of Anuradhapura District, Divisional Secretaries Divisions of Kalpitiya, Wanathawilluwa and Karuwalagaswewa of Puttalam District and Divisional Secretaries Divisions of Dimbulagala ana Kankapura of Polonnaruwa District since 23rd July 1983 to 01 January 2010.

It is ordained that the medal shall be granted to all personnel of the Security Forces who were actually involved in the military operation in the Vadamarachchi area, all those logistic and admin personnel who were involved in supporting the troops in the forward area during the Vadamarachchi operation, whether they were stationed in Vadamarachchi or elsewhere. All Security Forces personnel deployed outside the Vadamarachchi operation areas in order to assist the Vadamaraccchci operation. All those personnel both military and civil who planned the Vadamarachchi operation and were present in the Jaffna Peninsula during the Vadamarachchi operation. All military and civil hospital personnel who provided medical support and care to the casualties during the Vadamarachchi operation.

It is ordained that the medal shall be awarded to the Deputy Minister of Defence, Service Commanders, Inspector General of Police, all military personnel in active service, along with civilian doctors and their staff, police personnel, civilians who were employed by the services and took part actively in the execution of the operation Rivirasa 1 during the period of 17 October 1995 to 6 December 1995. Clasp shall be awarded to the Deputy Minister of Defence, Service Commanders, IGP and military personnel who have taken part in combat, fire support, logistic, medical, planning, directions or any other allied activities during the operation Rivirasa in the Jaffna Peninsula and other areas as per the operation orders for not less than 25 days during specified period. In the case of combat casualties of the Army, Navy and the Air Force the time stipulation of 25 days is not applicable provided however that the person become a casualty within the specified period.

The medal shall be awarded to all ranks of the Regular Force and of the Army, Navy and Air Force including Officers but excluding those in the ranks of the Sri Lanka Cadet Crops who were in service on the 22 May 1972 and who were recommended by the Commander of the Army, Navy or Air Force to receive the award.

The Medal shall be awarded to All Ranks of the Regular and Volunteer Forces of the Army including Officers of Sri Lanka Cadet Corps, and Civilians on the authorized establishment of the Army, Provided that all those to whom the Medal is awarded shall have completed a minimum of 10 years of service at any time during the period of 10 October 1973 to 9 October 1974, being the year of the 25th Anniversary of Sri Lanka Army.

It is ordained that the medal shall be awarded to All Ranks of the Regular and Volunteer Forces of the Army, Navy and Air Force who are in active service as of 4 February 1998 and are recommended by the respective Service Commanders.

The medal shall be awarded to All Ranks of the Regular and Volunteer Forces of the Army, Navy and Air Force of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, who are in active service from 01.02.2023 (including the trainees undergoing basic military training and Officers of National Cadet Cops) with the recommendation of the Army, Navy, Air Force Commanders.

The Medal shall be awarded to All Officers and Other Ranks of the Volunteer Force, Volunteer Reserve of the Sri Lanka Army and Officers of the National Cadet Corps who possess a minimum of five years reckonable active service from the date of commission or enlistment respectively, permanent or casual civilian employees of the Sri Lanka Army who possess a minimum of five years of reckonable service, Officers of the National Cadet Corps who are seconded for service to the Regular Force and count a minimum of five years of such service, provided that all those to whom the Medal is awarded shall be in service at any time during the period 10 October 1998 to 10 October 1999 being the year of the 50th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Army.

The Ceylon Armed Services Long Service Medal and Clasp are awarded as a reward for long and efficient service to personnel of any rank in the Regular Forces of the Army, Navy and Air Force. Who have completed 12 years of service shall be eligible for the award of the Medal and the clasp will be awarded to those who, having been awarded the medal, completed a total of 22 years of service. Service requisite to qualify for the medal shall be continuous service. Periods of desertion or absence without leave, and periods of detention or imprisonment will not be admissible as qualifying service.

Personnel of any rank in the Regular and Volunteer Forces of the Army, Navy and Air Force who have been in service on 22 May 1972 or thereafter, and who have completed 12 years of service shall be eligible for the award of the medal. The clasp to be on the ribbon of the medal will be awarded to those who having been awarded the medal complete a total 8 years of service after the award of the medal. Periods of desertion or absence without leave, and periods of detention or imprisonment will not be admissible as qualifying service.

The medal shall be awarded to all Ranks of the Regular and Volunteer Forces of the Army, Navy and Air Force of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka for the valuable contribution made since 19.05.2009 for the post-war activities, counting not less than six years of aggregate service excluding the basic training period with good conduct.

The medal shall be awarded to all Ranks of the Regular and Volunteer Forces of the Army, Navy and Air Force of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka for the valuable contribution made since 19.05.2009 for the post-war activities, counting not less than three years of aggregate service excluding the basic training period with good conduct.

The Medal shall be awarded to all ranks of the Regular and Volunteer Forces of the Sri Lanka Army, Navy and Air Force, including Officers, but excluding those in the ranks of the Sri Lanka Cadet Corps, who were in service on the 04 February 1978, and recommended by the Commander of the Army, Navy or Air Force to receive the award.

It is ordained that the medal shall be awarded to All Ranks of the Regular Force, All Ranks on the active reorganized strength of all Ceylon Volunteer Force Units, including Officers but excluding those in the ranks of the Ceylon Cadet Corps; mobilized personnel of the Ceylon Volunteer Force in service with the United Kingdom troops in Ceylon and British Army seconded personnel, for service at any time during the period 10 October 1949 to 09 October 1950.

The Medal shall be awarded to All Ranks of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force including Officers but excluding the Ranks of the Sri Lanka Cadet Corps who were in service on the 01 April 1981 and who have completed 10 years of service in the active list by that date and are recommended by the Army. The Medal shall also be awarded to Regular Force personnel of the permanent staff of the Volunteer Force who held such appointments on the 01 April 1981 and has been in the permanent staff of the Volunteer Force for a minimum period of one year prior to that date and had completed a total of ten years service in the Regular Force.

It is ordained that the medal shall be granted to all ranks of the Regular and Volunteer Forces of the Army, Navy and Air Force of the Republic of Sri Lanka for active service outside the territorial limits of the Island provided such service is connected with active service in foreign military missions or campaigns in the defence of Sri Lanka or for services connected with military or peace keeping operations conducted under the auspices of the United Nations Organization.

The medal is awarded for 90 days honourable service at United Nations Headquarters in New York beginning on 20 June 1979 and to the present. The ribbon consists of solid UN blue.

The medal is awarded for 90 days honourable service in United Nations Observer Mission In The Democratic Republic Of The Congo (MONUSCO), starting on 31 August 1999 to 28 May 2010. The ribbon consists with central dark blue (9-mm) stripe which is separated from UN blue stripes by thin yellow stripes (2-mm). MONUSCO medal was established on 2 May 2000. The ribbon has two outer bands of UN blue, representing the UN presence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Inside the two bands, there are two equal bars in yellow, they represent the dawn of peace and prosperity. The dark blue in the middle of the yellow represents the Conge river.

The medal was awarded for 90 days honourable service from 29 April 1991 to the present in the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). The medal has a very wide central band of a sandy brown colour, representing the Sahara Desert, with two narrow bands of UN blue at either end. Ninety days of qualifying time is required for the award.

The medal was awarded for 90 days honourable service for UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE). The ribbon has two outer bands of UN blue, symbolizing the presence of the United Nations. The inner band in green symbolizes hope and fertility of the land.The two bands in tan symbolize religious freedom and the ruggedness of the country.

The medal was awarded for 90 days honourable service in UN Stabilization mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). The ribbon bears a band of four colours as follows: The Blue represents the United Nations. The Green symbolizes the lush green countryside and economic potential of Haiti; the Royal Blue symbolizes the ocean surrounding the island of Hispaniola; the White symbolizes the promise of peace for the Haitian people.

Awarded for 90 days consecutive service from 24 March 2005 to 09 July 2011 in the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS). The ribbon is United Nations blue with three thin stripes of royal blue (3-mm) in the centre separated by two thin white stripes (4-mm).

The medal was awarded for 90 days honourable service for United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The ribbon bears three equal bands of UN colour: blue, green and UN blue. The bands are separated by two equal sized white stripes, each bisected by a narrow red line. The colours represent the UN and Lebanese flags. The qualifying period of service to earn the medal is 90 days of service in the Mission.

The medal was awarded for 90 days honourable service for UN Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT).

The medal was awarded for 90 days honourable service for United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei Sudan. The ribbon consist with UN blue with central green stripe bordered by two white stripes edged with black.

Awarded for 90 consecutive days of honourable service from 09 July 2011 to the present in the United Nations Mission in the Republic of Southern Sudan (UNMISS). The ribbon has two United Nations blue stripes on the edges, followed by two white stripes and one green central stripe. Four black lines separate each of these stripes.

The medal was awarded for 90 days honourable service in United Nations Mission in the Central Africa Republic (MINURCA). The ribbon has a 5-mm wide UN blue centre stripe and 5 equal stripes on each side, dark blue, white, red, green and yellow, the dark blue being the edge stripe.

Awarded for 90 consecutive days of honourable service from 25 April 2013 till present in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). United Nations blue with a wide central royal blue stripe flanked on the left with thin stripes of green, gold and red, representing Mali’s national colours, and on the right with a stripe of buff colour.