Manel flower (Nymphaea nouchali) is named the new National Flower.
Director of Biodiversity Secretariat Padma Abeykoon said that the cabinet of ministers had given approval for the change.
She said the decision was made by an expert panel. Debates sparked after image of a different flower was used in place of Nil Manel.
She added that the Nil Manel is a foreign flora and Manel (white and light blue coloured) is endemic to Sri Lanka.