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Sri Lanka Awards in the Armed Forces
In the period between independence and the establishment of
the republic, members of the Sri Lankan armed services were
eligible for awards from the British government, including the
Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.) and the Member of the
British Empire (M.B.E.). After 1972 however, the nation
established its own system of decorations, which was modified in
1979 to conform more closely with the practices of other South
Asian nations. Under the system in place in 1988, the nation's
highest decoration was the Parama Veera Vibushanaya, equivalent
to the Victoria Cross of Britain and the Param Vir Chakra of
India, and awarded "for individual acts of gallantry of the most
exceptional order." For acts of bravery performed outside a
military context, individuals were awarded the Veerodhara
Vibushanaya, a decoration equivalent to the British George Cross
and the Indian Asoka Chakra. Other awards include the Visiatha
Seva Vibushanaya for twenty years of service with an "unblemished
record of moral and military conduct;" the Uttama Seva Padakkama,
equivalent to India's Meritorious Service Medal, and given to a
soldier with not fewer than fifteen years of service marked by
exceptional ability and exemplary conduct; the Videsha Seva
Padakkama, for active service in a foreign military mission; and
the Veera Vickrama Vibushanaya, equivalent to the Military Cross
of Britain, and given for acts of gallantry in saving the lives
of others.
Data as of October 1988
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