Nutritional disorder occurring mostly in the tropics and resulting from a deficiency of vitamin B1 (thiamine). The disease takes two forms: in one oedema (waterlogging of the tissues) occurs; in the other there is severe emaciation. There is nerve degeneration in both forms and many victims succumb to heart failure.
Green represents the Islamic minority. Orange stands for the Hindu Tamils. The sword denotes authority. The four pipul leaves symbolize Buddhism. Effective date: 7 September 1978.