National Flower of Sri Lanka

Nil Manel / blue water lily

In February 1986 blue water lily was chosen as the National flower of Sri Lanka. It`s a symbol of purity and truth.

These Flowers found all the part of Sri Lanka and grows in the shallow water. Petals arranged like a star and the flat round waterproof leaves are bright green.Seeds and the tubes used as a vegetable by villagers and also leaves, stem and flowers used in herbal medicine and dried flowers used to make pillows and says It produces happy dreams.It has a sweet fragrance and used for offering at Buddhist Temples and rituals for god Vishnu.

You can see Sigiriya frescoes of women holds these flowers in their hands.