THIS LIST IS STILL BEING UPDATED
Orders, Decorations and Medals Relating to Sri Lanka (Ceylon) from 1795 to the present
PART ONE 1795 to 1972
Ceylon, Colony (1795-1948) and Dominion (1948-1972)
Orders of Knighthood and their Medals
This section will include the complete details of the following Orders, along with colour photos of the obverse and reverse of these items. It will also include biographical details and photos of many of the recipients, and/or complete or partial nominal rolls for each order or decoration.
-The Most Honourable Order of the Bath
Complete list of recipients of all classes of this Order (KB, GCB, KCB and CB)
-The Royal Order of the Guelphs of Hanover (The Royal Guelphic Order)
Examples of the GCH, KCH.and KH relating to Ceylon:
Lt.Gen. The Rt.Hon.Sir Thomas Maitland PC GCB GCMG GCH (Mil); Governor of Ceylon
Maj.Gen. Sir James Campbell KCB KCH (mil); Lieutenant Governor of Ceylon
-The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India
Complete list of recipients of all classes of this Order (GCSI, KCSI and CSI)
-The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George
Complete list of recipients of all classes of this Order (GCMG, KCMG and CMG)
-The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire
Examples of the GCIE, KCIE and the CIE relating to Ceylon.
Col. Sir Arthur Elibank Havelock GCSI GCMG GCIE, Governor of Ceylon
Lt.Col. John Lawrence van Geyzel CIE
Thomas Cooke Samuel Jayaratnam CSI CIE
Guilford Lindsay Molesworth CIE, the successful engineer of the Colombo and Kandy Railway, the discoverer of a route which had been overlooked by several predecessors.
-The Royal Victorian Order
Complete list of recipients of all classes of this Order (GCVO, KCVO, CVO, LVO and MVO). Also, a complete list of recipients of the Royal Victorian Medal (in Silver and Bronze).
-The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
Complete list of recipients of all classes of this Order (GBE, KBE, CBE, OBE and MBE) and the Medal of the Order of the British Empire, Empire Gallantry Medal and British Empire Medal.
-The Order of the Companion of Honour
Full biographical details and photo of General the Rt.Hon.Sir John Lionel Kotelawela PC CH KBE KStJ (Prime-Minister of Ceylon), the only Ceylonese recipient of the CH.
-The Baronet's Badge (Bart.)
A complete list of Baronets relating to Ceylon
-The Knight Bachelor's Badge (Kt.)
A complete list of Knights Bachelor in Ceylon
-Order of St John of Jerusalem (St John's Ambulance)
A list of Ceylon related recipients of the GCStJ, KStJ / DStJ, CStJ, ChStJ, CStJ, OStJ, SBStJ / SSStJ and the SJAB Service Medal
Decorations and Medals for Gallantry and Distinguished Conduct
This will include the complete details of the following Decorations and Gallantry Medals, along with colour photos of the obverse and reverse of these items. It will also include biographical details and photos of many of the recipients, and/or complete or partial nominal rolls for each order or decoration.
-Victoria Cross (VC)
Full details of the VC recipients relating to Ceylon.
Basil Arthur Horsfall VC
Stewart Walker Loudoun-Shand VC
Augustus William Shelton Agar VC DSO
Charles Edward Hudson VC CB DSO and Bar, MC
Gen. Sir W O Lennox VC KCB (GOC Forces in Ceylon)
Maj.Gen. Clifford Coffin VC CB DSO & Bar (GOC Forces in Ceylon)
-The Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
A list of recipients of this Decoration, relating to Ceylon, including two multiple awards, for Maj. Robert Benzie DSO and Bar, and Thomas Douglas Sutherland DSO and Bar, MC, both of the CPRC.
-The Imperial Service Order and the Imperial Service Medal
A list of the recipients of these two awards in Ceylon
-The Royal Red Cross (RRC)
A list of recipients relating to Ceylon.
-The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
With details of Ceylon related DSC's including Cdr. H.C.Davis DSC. RD. RNR (formerly of Nuwera Eliya) and Maj. John Galpin DSC DFC (Asst.Manager, Times of Ceylon, circa 1923)
-The Military Cross (MC)
A list of MC recipients relating to Ceylon, including many multiple awards (MC and Bar). Also a number or photos and biographical details of many of these recipients.
-The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
A list of DFC recipients relating to Ceylon, including those of the RAF that won the DFC during the Japanese Air Raids on Ceylon in April 1942.
AVM. Ekanayake Edward (Rohan) Amerasekera DFC & Bar
F/Lt. Cyril Lionel Francis "Jimmy" Talalla DFC & Bar
W/Cdr Anthony Desmond Joseph Lovell DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar, DFC (US)
-The Air Force Cross (AFC)
A list of AFC recipients relating to Ceylon.
-The Albert Medal
A list of recipients of the Albert Medal relating to Ceylon.
-The Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)
Details of Ceylon related DCMs including:
Col. James Thomas Young MC DCM ED (CMR and CDF) and Capt. A T Kingston MBE DCM (Ceylon Engineers)
-The Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (CGM)
Details of the only Ceylon related CGM (Flying):
P/O Desmond Clive Camden Busby CGM (RAFVR), formerly of Galagedera, Ceylon.
-The George Medal (GM)
Details of the only GM awarded in Ceylon, to Botalage Edmund Perera and details of the GM to Mrs. Sybil Kathigasu (the wife of a Ceylon Tamil doctor residing in Malaya), for unconquerable courage during the Japanese Occupation of Malaya.
-The Military Medal (MM)
Details of Ceylon related MMs. including:
Vere Frank Modder MM, Cpl D B Seneviratne MM, Pte. Reginald Hermon MM, 1734 Sgt. H Hopwood MM and L/Cpl. F. Morris MM
-The Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM)
Details of Ceylon related DFMs.
-Certificates (with Badges) of Civil Commendations for Brave Conduct.
Details of Ceylon related recipients
-Mention in Despatches (MiD)
With details of Ceylonese who were Mentioned in Despatches in both wars, and received the Oak Leaf emblem. WW1, Between the Wars and WW2.
-MEDALS FOR LIFE SAVING
A list of recipients relating to Ceylon for the following medals, with citations where available.
-The Sea Gallantry Medal
-Royal Humane Society Medal for Life Saving
-Order of St John of Jerusalem Life Saving Medal
-Royal Life Saving Society Medal
-Life Saving award for the Great Flood in Ceylon 1834 (Privately made)
Campaign Medals
This will include the complete details of the following Campaign Medals, along with colour photos of the obverse and reverse of these items. It will also include a number of Rolls of Service and Rolls of Honour for WW1 and biographical details and photos of many of the recipients.
-Capture of Ceylon Medal 1795-96
With details of the British conquest of Ceylon from the Dutch.
With details of the Kandyan Rebellion, and of some of the recipients of this rare silver medal, including Cpl. MacLaughlin.Also. Details of the Special Gold Medal that was awarded to MacLaughlin.
The Boer War
-Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902
With complete details of Ceylon's role in the Boer War, and complete Medal Rolls for the two Ceylon Contingents.
-Ceylon Mounted Infantry 1900
-CPRC (Ceylon Volunteers attached to Gloucester Regt) 1902
Also details of the Boer War Memorials in Ceylon and biographical details of some of the men, including T. Y. Wright and J. W. Balfour-Paul.
-The King's South Africa Medal
With details of some men of the Ceylon Contingents who qualified for this medal.
World War 1
With details of Ceylonese who were awarded the following Medals.
-1914 Star and 1914-15 Star
-British War Medal 1914-20
-Victory Medal 1914-19
-Mercantile Marine War Medal 1914-18
-Ceylon Overseas Volunteer Service Oval Medallion
-Silver War Badge
-WW1 Ceylon Commemorative Medal
- The Memorial Plaque
World War 2
With details of Ceylonese who were awarded the following Medals.
-1939-45 Star
-Atlantic Star
-Aircrew Europe Star
-Africa Star
-Pacific Star
-Burma Star
-Italy Star
-France & Germany Star
-War Medal 1939-45
-Defence Medal 1939-45
-General Service Medal 1918-62
Details of Ceylonese who received this medal with the bar "Kurdistan", "Iraq", "Palestine 1945-48" for service with the RASC, and the Bar "Malaya" for service in Singapore and Malaya with the Royal Pioneer Corps and the Royal Military Police.
United Nations Medals for Peacekeeping
Details of the following missions, and of Ceylonese personnel who took part in them, beginning with the Suez Conflict in 1956, which a contingent was prepared, but did not attend.
UN Observation Group in Lebanon - UNOGIL (June 1958 – Dec 1958)
UN Truce Supervision Organization - UNTSO (June 1948 to the present)
UN Operation in the Congo - ONUC (July 1960 – June 1964)
UN Temporary Executive Authority in West New Guinea - UNTEA (Oct 1962 to April 1963)
UN Security Force in West New Guinea (West Irian) - UNSF (Oct 1962 – April 1963)
UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan - UNMOGIP (Jan 1949 to present)
UN India – Pakistan Observation Mission - UNIPOM (Sept 1965 – March 1966)
UN Interim Force in Lebanon - UNIFIL (Mar 1978 to present)
UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara - MINURSO (April 1991 to present)
UN Operation in Mozambique - ONUMOZ (Dec 1992 – Dec 1994)
UN Mission in Sierra Leone - UNAMSIL (Oct 1999 – Dec 2005)
UN Transitional Administration in East Timor - UNTAET (Oct 1999 – May 2002)
UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo - MONUC (Nov 1999 – June 2010)
UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea - UNMEE (July 2000 - July 2008)
UN Mission of Support in East Timor - UNMISET (May 2002 – May 2005)
UN Operation in Côte D'I’oire - UNOCI (April 2004 to June 2017)
UN Operation in Burundi - ONUB (June 2004 – Dec 2006)
UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti - MINUSTAH (June 2004 – Oct 2017)
UN Mission in Sudan - UNMIS (March 2005 – July 2011)
UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste - UNMIT (Aug 2006 – Dec 2012)
UN Mission in Central African Republic and Chad - MINURCAT (Sept 2007 - Dec 2010)
UN African Union Hybrid Mission in Darfur - UNAMID (Jan 2008 to present)
UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo – MONUSCO (July 2010 to present)
UN Interim Security Force for Abyei - UNISFA (June 2011 to present)
UN Mission in the Republic of South Sudan - UNMISS (July 2011 to present)
UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali – MINUSMA (April 2013 to the present)
UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Central African Republic - MINUSCA (April 2014 to the present)
UN Headquarters Medal - UNHQ.
Dag Hammarskjöld Medal
Decorations and Medals for Long Service & Good Conduct
This will include the complete details of the following Decorations and Medals, along with colour photos of the obverse and reverse of these items. It will also include complete rolls for each of these awards and biographical details and photos of many of the recipients.
-The Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
-The Meritorious Service Medal
-The Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration
-The Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal
-The Efficiency Decoration [Ceylon]
-The Efficiency Medal [Ceylon]
-The Royal Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
-The Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Decoration
-The Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
-The Ceylon Armed Forces Long Service Medal 1968
-The Service Medal of the Order of St John of Jerusalem
-Ceylon Chiefs' Long and Faithful Service Medal
-Ceylon Native Headmen Long and Faithful Service Medal
Commemorative and Miscellaneous Medals
This will include the complete details of the following medals, along with colour photos of the obverse and reverse of these items. It will also include complete or partial rolls for each of these awards, biographical details and photos of many of the recipients and details of these functions.
-Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, Visit to India Medal 1875-76
-Jubilee Medal 1887
-Jubilee Medal 1897
-Jubilee Medal 1897 Ceylon Issue
-Coronation Medal 1902
-Coronation Medal 1902 Ceylon Issue
-Visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales to India 1905-06
-Coronation Medal 1911
-Delhi Durbar Medal 1911
-Edward. Prince of Wales' Visit to India Medal 1921-22
-Jubilee Medal 1935
-Coronation Medal 1937
-Coronation Medal 1953
-Ceylon Armed Services Inauguration Medal 1955
-Army Best Shot Medal (Queen's Medal)
With details of all three recipients of this medal in Ceylon.
Police & Fire Services Medals
With details of Medals relating to the Ceylon (Sri Lanka) Police and Fire Services, from its inception to the present, along with colour photos of the obverse and reverse of these items. It will also include complete or partial rolls for each of these awards and biographical details of some of the recipients.
-King's (or Queen's) Police Medal
For Gallantry
For Distinguished Service
-Ceylon Police Long Service & Good Conduct Medal 1925-34
-Colonial Police Long Service Medal 1934
-Colonial Fire Brigades LS Medal 1934
-Colonial Police Medal (For Police and Fire Service) 1938
For Gallantry
For Merit
-Ceylon Police Long Service Medal 1950-1972
For Gallantry
For Merit
-Ceylon Fire Brigade Long Service Medal 1950-1972
-Ceylon Police Independence Medal 1948
PART TWO (1972 - )
Republic of Sri Lanka 1972 to the present
With complete details of Decorations and Medals awarded by thr Republic of Sri Lanka to its Armed Forces, along with colour photos of the obverse and reverse of these items. It will also include complete or partial rolls for each of these awards and biographical details, photos and citations of some of the recipients.
National Honours
With details of Honours bestowed by the Sri Lankan Government, including examples of recipients for each award.
-Sri Lankabhimanya
-Desamanya
-Desabandu
-Vidya Jyothi
-Kala Keerthi
-Sri Lanka Sikhamani
-Vidya Nidhi
-Kala Suri
-Sri Lanka Thilaka
-Veera Prathapa
-Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana
-Sri Lanka Ratna
-Sri Lanka Ranjana
-Sri Lanka Ramya
-Kala Chudamani
-Vishwa Prasadini
Decorations and Medals for Gallantry
-Parama Weera Vibushanaya (PWV)
-Weerodhara Vibushanaya (WV)
-Weera Wickrema Vibushanaya (WWV)
-Rana Wickrema Padakkama (RWP)
-Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP)
-President's Commendation
Decorations and Medals for Distinguished or Meritorious Service
-Vishishta Seva Vibushanaya (VSV)
-Uttama Seva Padakkama (USP)
-Desha Putra Sammanaya
-Utththama Pooja Pranama Padakkama
Campaign Medals
-Videsha Seva Padakkama
-Purna Bhumi Padakkama
-Vadamarachchi Operation Medal
-Riviresa Campaign Service Medal
-North and East Operations Medal
-East Humanitarian Operation Medal and clasp
-North Humanitarian Operation Medal and clasp
Decorations and Medals for Long Service and Good Conduct
-Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal 1979
-Sewa Padakkama (Service Medal) 2009
-Sewabhimani Padakkama (Meritorious Servce Medal) 2009
-Kariyakshama Seva Vibushanaya (KSV)
-Kariyakshama Seva Padakkama (KSP)
-Prashansaniya Seva Vibhushanaya
-Prashansaniya Seva Padakkama
Commemorative Medals
-Republic of Sri Lanka Armed Services Medal 1972
-Sri Lanka Army 25th Anniversary Medal 1974
-Sri Lanka Navy 25th Anniversary Medal 1975
-Sri Lanka Air Force 25th Anniversary Medal 1976
-President's Inauguration Medal 1979
-Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force Centenary Medal 1981
-50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal (1998)
-Sri Lanka Army 50th Anniversary Medal 1999
-Sri Lanka Navy 50th Anniversary Medal 2000
-Sri Lanka Air Force 50th Anniversary Medal 2001
-75th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal 2023
-Coronation Medal of King Charles III 2023
Police Medals
Janadhipathi Police Weeratha Padakkama
Sri Lanka Police Weeratha Padakkama
Sri Lanka Police Vishishta Seva Padakkama
Police Dakshatha Padakkama
Police Prasanna
Desha Putra Padakkama
Sri Lanka Police Deerga Seva Padakkama
The Republic of Sri Lanka Police Medal 1972
Sri Lanka Police 125th Anniversary Medal 1991
50th Anniversary of Independence Medal 1998 (Police Issue)
Sri Lanka Police 150th Anniversary Medal 2016
The Foundation of Civilian Bravery
Appendix
-Boy Scouts Awards and Medals
-Foreign and Miscellaneous Awards
P R de S Seneviratne of Ceylon Police had the Order of the White Elephant
from the King of Siam. (per Douglas Ranmuthugala). Also, recipients of the
Legion of Honour, Croix de Guerre etc… from WW1, and Vatican Orders.