The Jaffna Kingdom Flag: Symbolism, Heritage, and the Struggle Against Erasure of Tamil Identity Introduction The ancient flag of the Jaffna Kingdom is not just a relic of history; it is a living symbol that encapsulates the sovereignty, cultural richness, and religious devotion of the Tamil people in northern Sri Lanka. More than mere cloth and insignia, this flag represents centuries of continuity, self-determination, and spiritual values-a collective memory and identity marker for Tamils both on the island and across the diaspora. In recent decades, and especially in post-independence Sri Lanka, the replacement or suppression of the Jaffna Kingdom’s flag has been bound up with broader projects of cultural marginalization, ethnic homogenization, and state-led narratives that exclude or overwrite Tamil contributions and historical legitimacy. This report marshals historical evidence, legal and cultural analysis, and international heritage frameworks to argue that sidelin...