Miniature

Sheet
First
Day
Covers
of
Sri Lanka
Indika Lakmal Pathiraja
Version 2.0
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

PREFACE
This is the version 2.0 of the MSFDC document which has included the
images and details of the miniature sheets first day covers that issued up to 2023. In previous
document, details had updated up to 2022. So, in 2023, 3 MSFDC’s have been updated & included to
the document, details of them.

Miniature Sheet first day covers collection or more commonly known

as MSFDC is a modern philatelic collector item. So, if you have not yet to include them to your
collection, now would be a suitable time to do so. So that you can grab them at their face values before
they increase exponentially. This document is a bit of effort to share the details about the existing
MSFDC (and its related items) released officially in Sri Lanka.

When looking at the history of the MSFDC issuing, the inaugural issue
was released in 2004* (as a full set) but next was in 2020. After that, within three years next all have
issued. It can be seen the increase of MSFDC issuing in last 4 years. But in 1967 at the 1st National
Stamps Exhibition, SL posts has issued their fist MSFDC from theme Typical Birds of Ceylon.

For those collectors who were innovative, they could have created
their own personal MSFDC by pasting the souvenir sheet on a dealer created cover or if adequate
space were present, paste over the stamp of the official FDC. Since it is not possible to document the
personal documents, they are not included. I was also not able to find any samples of such either.

As always, this effort to create the document is one which is more for
my personal use but want to share with other collectors too. They might be mistakes and if so, please
do inform me so that I can issue a latest version so that the collectors have an updated correct
document. My contact details are given below.

* I am yet to verify if the 1967 Birds MS was also issued as an MSFDC and falls under our definition. If there is
official document to prove this, do let me know. It has however been included at the rear of this document.

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

It would not have been possible to create this document without the
help of other collectors/philatelists in the form of providing images, verifying information, giving ideas
to improve the document and moral support . I am very much grateful to each of them.

In no particular order

➢ Gihan Fernando
➢ Eranda Nipunika
➢ Nandana Rodrigo
➢ Manoj Priyankara
➢ Gamini Silva
If you have more information, images to improve this document,
please send them my way via email, WhatsApp or by giving me a call. A combined effort will help us
to provide good documentation to philatelists who collect Sri Lankan philately items.

Indika Lakmal Pathiraja

lakmalpathiraja@gmail.com
0716713312

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

Definition

An MSFDC can be defined as a cover(s) with the Miniature

Sheet(s) affixed to the same cover used for FDC which is officially released by an authorized
bureau in a country in a country on the day of the stamp(s) issue. Only those with a Miniature
Sheets (Souvenir sheets) can qualify for this. The bureau will decide which issue will include
an MSFDC.

List of the MSFDC

Under above definition below issues have been released from the Philatelic Bureau of the Department
of Post.

# of
# Issue Date Theme
Issues
1 30-Apr-2004 Vesak 2004 1
2 25-Jul-2020 Kandy Esala Perahera 3
3 4-Dec-2020 Christmas 2020 1
4 27-Jul-2021 Sri Lanka – Singapore Diplomatic Relations 1
5 9-Oct-2021 Endemic Birds of Sri Lanka 6
6 1-Dec-2022 Endemic Butterflies of Sri Lanka 3
7 6-Dec-2022 Christmas 2022 1
8 23-Jun-2023 UNESCO World heritage site Sigiriya 4
9 27-Oct-2023 Sri Lanka – France Diplomatic Relations 1
10 12-Nov-2023 Deepavali 2023 1
11 1-Dec-2023 Christmas 2023 1

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

1. VESAK 2004

The philatelic bureau of the department of posts has issued four

postage stamps, a souvenir sheet, a first day cover and a miniature sheet first day cover on 30 Apr
2004 for the Vesak 2004.

MSFDC

Details
Date of issued : 30-Apr-2004

Denomination : 4.00, 4.50, 16.00, 20.00

Catalogue No. : 4.00 - CSL 1537

4.50 - CSL 1538

16.00 - CSL 1539

20.00 - CSL 1540

Designers

Stamp : Palitha Gunasinghe

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

Related Philatelic Items

1. First Day Cover

2. Miniature Sheet

SG No. : MS1705

Stamps SG No : Only for the Miniature Sheets/ No separate stamp

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

3. Stamps

SG 1701 SG 1702

SG 1703 SG 1704

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

2. KANDY ESALA PERAHERA 2020

The philatelic bureau of the department of posts has issued three

postage stamps, three souvenir sheets, a first day cover and three miniature sheet first day covers on
25 July. 2020 for the Kandy Esala perahera

MSFDC

Details
Date of issued : 25-Jul-2020

Denomination : 10.00, 15.00, 45.00

Catalogue No. : 10.00 - CSL 2393

15.00 - CSL 2394

45.00 - CSL 2395

Designers

Stamp : Nihal Sangabo Dias

8

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

Related Philatelic Items

1. First Day Cover

2. Miniature Sheet

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

3. Stamps

CSL 2393 CSL 2394

CSL 2395

10

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

3. CHRISTMAS 2020

The philatelic bureau of the department of posts has issued two

postage stamps, a souvenir sheet, and miniature sheets first day cover on 04 Dec. 2020 to mark
Christmas 2020.

MSFDC

Details
Date of issued : 4-Dec-2020

Denomination : 15.00, 25.00

Catalogue No. : 15.00 - CSL 2406

25.00 - CSL 2407

Designers

Souvenir Sheet : K.A.E. Nesakya

First day Cover : H.S.R.T. Peiris

Stamp : 15.00 - T.R Jayasinghe

25.00 - T. Weerarathne

11

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

Related Philatelic Items

1. First Day Cover

2. Souvenir Sheet

3. Stamps

CSL 2406 CSL 2407

12

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

4. SRI LANKA – SINGAPORE DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

The philatelic bureau of the department of posts has issued two

postage stamps, a souvenir sheet, a first day cover and miniature sheets first day cover on 27 July.
2021 for the 50 years of diplomatic relationship of the Sri Lanka and Singapore

MSFDC

Details
Date of issued : 27-Jul-2021

Denomination : 15.00, 45.00

Catalogue No. : 15.00 - CSL 2413

45.00 - CSL 2414

Designers

Stamp : 15.00 - P. Isuru Chathuranga

25.00 - Leo Tech Chong

13

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

Related Philatelic Items

1. First Day Cover

2. Miniature Sheet

SG No. : No SG

3. Stamps

CSL 2413 CSL 2414

14

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

5. ENDEMIC BIRDS OF SRI LANKA 2021

The philatelic bureau of the department of posts has issued six

postage stamps, wroth Rs. 25.00 each,6 souvenir sheets, 6 first day covers, 6 miniature sheet first day
covers, 9th October 2021, that depict the six endemic birds in Sri Lanka. These stamps were issued on
the World Wildlife Day.

MSFDC

Details
Date of issued : 09-Oct-2021

Denomination : 25.00 * 6

Catalogue No. : CSL 2427 – CSL 2432

Designers

Stamp : Pulasthi Ediriweera

15

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

Related Philatelic Items

1. First Day Cover

16

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

2. Souvenir Sheet

17

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

3. Stamps

CSL 2427 CSL 2428 CSL 2429

CSL 2430 CSL 2431 CSL 2432

18

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

6. ENDEMIC BUTTERFLIES OF SRI LANKA 2022

The philatelic bureau of the department of posts has issued 12

numbers of definitive stamps I n the denomination of Rs. 1.00, 5.00, 10.00, 20.00, 25.00, 30.00,
40.00, 50.00, 60.00, 100.00, 110.00, 200.00 postage stamps and 3 numbers of souvenir sheets, a first
day cover and 3 number of miniature sheet first day covers on 1st December 2022, that depict endemic
butterflies in Sri Lanka.

MSFDC

Details
Date of issued : 01-Dec-2022

Denomination : 1.00, 5.00, 10.00, 20.00, 25.00, 30.00, 40.00, 50.00, 60.00, 100.00,
110.00, 200.00

Catalogue No. : CSL 2487- CSL2498

Designers

Souvenir Sheet : Kelum A. Gunasekara

First day Cover : P. Isuru Chathuranga

Stamp : Kelum A. Gunasekara

19

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

Related Philatelic Items

1. First Day Cover

2. Miniature Sheet

20

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

3. Stamps

CSL 2487 CSL 2488 CSL 2489

CSL 2490 CSL 2491 CSL 2492

CSL 2493 CSL 2494 CSL 2495

CSL 2496 CSL 2497 SCL 2498

21

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

7. CHRISTMAS 2022

The philatelic bureau of the department of posts has issued two

postage stamps, a souvenir sheet, and miniature sheets first day cover on 06 Dec. 2022 to mark
Christmas 2022. The Dept of Christmas Religious Affairs selected pictures of the following themes in
the Christmas Postage stamp Art competition 2022 : the Birth of Christ, Starlight, Awaking the world.

MSFDC

Details
Date of issued : 6-Dec-2022

Denomination : 30.00, 50.00

Catalogue No. : 30.00 - CSL 2499

50.00 - CSL 2500

Designers

Souvenir Sheet : H.N. Kariyawasam

First day Cover : T. Mihindukulasooriya

Stamp : 30.00 - U.J. Ileperuma

50.00 - I.P.A. Somajeewa

22

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

Related Philatelic Items

1. First Day Cover

2. Miniature Sheet

3. Stamps

CSL 2499 CSL 2500

23

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

8. UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES OF SRI LANKA -

SIGIRIYA
The philatelic bureau of the department of posts has issued four
postage stamps, four souvenir sheets a first day cover and four miniature sheets first day cover
depicting Sigiriya Rock as the first issue of the stamp series of the UNESCO World Heritage sites of the
Sri Lanka in the demonstration of Rs. 50.00 and Rs. 110.00 on the 15th of June 2023.

MSFDC

Details
Date of issued : 23-Jun-2023

Denomination : 50.00 * 2, 100.00 * 2

Catalogue No. : CSL 2510 - CSL 2513

Designers

Stamp : Sudath Jayawardana

24

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

Related Philatelic Items

1. First Day Cover

2. Miniature Sheet

25

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

3. Stamps

CSL 2510 CSL 2511

CSL 2512 CSL 2513

26

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

9. SRI LANKA FRANCE DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS 75TH

ANNIVERSARY
The philatelic bureau of the department of posts has issued two
postage stamps, a souvenir sheet, a first day cover and a miniature sheet first day cover depicting the
75th anniversary of diplomatic relations Sri Lanka & France demonstration of Rs. 50.00 on the 27th of
October 2023.

MSFDC

Details
Date of issued : 27-Oct-2023

Denomination : 50.00 * 2

Catalogue No. : SCL2539, SCL2540

Designers

Souvenir Sheet : Isuru Chathuranga

First day Cover : Isuru Chathuranga

Stamps : SL - Ruwan Indrajith Upasena

France - Mahinda Herath (lives in France)

27

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

Related Philatelic Items

1. First Day Cover

2. Miniature Sheet

3. Stamps

CSL 2539 CSL 2540

28

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

10. DEEPAVALI 2023

The philatelic bureau of the department of posts has issued a postage
stamp, a souvenir sheet, a first day cover and a miniature sheet first day cover depicting the Deepavali
festival demonstration of Rs. 50.00 on the 12th of November 2023.

MSFDC

Details
Date of issued : 12-Nov-2023

Denomination : 50.00

Catalogue No. : SCL 2541

Designers

Souvenir Sheet : Nihal Sagabo Dias

First day Cover : Nihal Sagabo Dias

Stamp : Nihal Sagabo Dias

29

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

Related Philatelic Items

1. First Day Cover

2. Miniature Sheet

3. Stamp

CSL 2541

30

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

11. CHRISTMAS 2023

The philatelic bureau of the department of posts has issued two

postage stamps, a souvenir sheet, and miniature sheets first day cover on 01 Dec. 2023 to mark
Christmas 2023. The Dept of Christmas Religious Affairs selected pictures of the following themes in
the Christmas Postage stamp Art competition 2023.

MSFDC

Details
Date of issued : 01-Dec-2023

Denomination : 50.00, 110.00

Catalogue No. : 30.00 - CSL 2542

50.00 - CSL 2543

Designers

Souvenir Sheet : Uvindu Niwanthaka Jayalath

First day Cover : V.S.J. Mendis

Stamps : 30.00 - N. D. Mersaleen

: 50.00 - Hasindu Praharshana Fernando

31

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

Related Philatelic Items

1. First Day Cover

2. Miniature Sheet

3. Stamps

CSL 2542 CSL 2543

32

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

Other Issues Released as MSFDC

Typical Birds of Ceylon

This was released at the 1st National Exhibition

Released Date : 16-09-1967.

Cancelled from special seal included Sinhala letters.

33

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023
 MSFDC Collection of Sri Lanka

Released Date : 17-09-1967.

Cancelled from special seal included English letters.

34

Created by Indika Lakmal Pathiraja for free distribution Downloaded from philately.lk Last updated 31st Dec. 2023