Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana

{{Infobox order

| name = Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana
ශ්‍රී ලංකා මිත්‍ර විභූෂණ
சிறீ லங்கா மித்ர விபூஷண

| image =

| caption =The medal of Sri Lanka Mithra Vibhushana Award.

| image2 =

| caption2 =

| awarded_by =
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The Government of Sri Lanka

| type = Title of honor/Order of merit

| established = 2008

| ribbon =100px

| motto =

| eligibility = Foreign nationals

| criteria = Exceptional and distinguished service to the nation

| status = Currently constituted

| classes =

| post-nominals =

| former_grades =

| first_induction = 2008

| last_induction = 2025

| total = 4

| higher = Veera Prathapa

| same =

| lower = Sri Lanka Rathna

| related =

}}

The Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana ({{langx|si|ශ්‍රී ලංකා මිත්‍ර විභූෂණ}}, Tamil: சிறீ லங்கா மித்ர விபூஷண, Sri Lankan Friendship Decoration) 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,{{cite web |title=Two Palestinian Heads of State awarded Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana National Honour |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/news/42772.html |accessdate=10 January 2014 |publisher=Sundaytimes.lk}} this accolade recognizes exceptional and distinguished service to the nation, particularly in fostering friendly relations and solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka.

Significance of the award

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.{{Cite web |title=Modi conferred Sri Lanka's highest civilian honour 'Mitra Vibhushana' - Breaking News {{!}} Daily Mirror |url=https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/Modi-conferred-Sri-Lankas-highest-civilian-honour-Mitra-Vibhushana/108-306102 |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=www.dailymirror.lk |language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2025-04-05 |title=PM Modi Awarded Sri Lanka Mithra Vibhushana, Country's Top Civil Honour for Advancing Shared Heritage |url=https://asianmirror.lk/news/5085/pm-modi-awarded-sri-lanka-mithra-vibhushana-countrys-top-civil-honour-for-advancing-shared-heritage/ |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=Asian Mirror |language=en-US}} 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.

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.

=Design and symbolism of the medal=

The decoration comprises a silver medal adorned with nine types of Sri Lankan gems, known as Navaratna.{{Cite web |title=Lanka's blunder steals honour from Palestinian leaders {{!}} The Sundaytimes Sri Lanka |url=https://www.sundaytimes.lk/140126/news/lankas-blunder-steals-honour-from-palestinian-leaders-81325.html |access-date=2025-04-05}} The medal features symbolic elements:

Dharmachakra: 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.

Notable recipients

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.
Mahmoud Abbas (President of the Palestinian National Authority): Awarded on 2 January 2014.{{Cite web |title=Sri Lankan national honor given to PA President Abbas and former PA President Arafat - government of Sri Lanka press release/Non-UN document |url=https://www.un.org/unispal/document/auto-insert-201415/ |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=Question of Palestine |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Extraordinary Gazettes of 2014 |url=https://documents.gov.lk/view/extra-gazettes/egz_2014.html |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=documents.gov.lk}}
Yasser Arafat (Posthumous, Former President of the Palestinian National Authority): Awarded on 2 January 2014.
Narendra Modi (Prime Minister of India): Awarded on 5 April 2025.{{Cite web |last=Devika |date=2025-04-05 |title=Statement by the President to the Media during the Joint Press Conference on the Occasion of the State Visit of the Indian Prime Minister to Sri Lanka, 05 April 2025 |url=https://www.news.lk/current-affairs/statement-by-the-president-to-the-media-during-the-joint-press-conference-on-the-occasion-of-the-state-visit-of-the-indian-prime-minister-to-sri-lanka-05-april-2025 |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=The Official Government News Portal of Sri Lanka |language=en-gb}}{{Cite web |last=Devika |date=2025-04-05 |title=Receiving the 'Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana' Award is a great honour for me |url=https://www.news.lk/current-affairs/receiving-the-sri-lanka-mitra-vibhushana-award-is-a-great-honour-for-me |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=The Official Government News Portal of Sri Lanka |language=en-gb}}{{Cite web |last=psofzDmp |date=2025-04-05 |title=මිත්‍ර විභූෂණ සම්මානයෙන් පිදුම් ලැබීම මට මහත් ගෞරවයක් |url=https://www.presidentsoffice.gov.lk/%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%AD%E0%B7%8A%E0%B6%BB-%E0%B7%80%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%B7%E0%B7%96%E0%B7%82%E0%B6%AB-%E0%B7%83%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%8A%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%B1%E0%B6%BA%E0%B7%99%E0%B6%B1%E0%B7%8A/ |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=President's Office |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=newsdmp-w |date=2025-04-05 |title=President Confers Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana Award on Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in appreciation of Friendship and Cooperation |url=https://pmd.gov.lk/news/president-confers-sri-lanka-mitra-vibhushana-award-on-indian-prime-minister-shri-narendra-modi-in-appreciation-of-friendship-and-cooperation/ |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=PMD |language=en-GB}}