The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society has operated since 1936, first as a branch of the British Red Cross and then from 1949 to 1971 as the Ceylon Red Cross Society. It was recognized by the ICRC and admitted into the League of Red Cross Societies (now the Federation of Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies) in 1952. The Ceylon Red Cross Society was renamed as Sri Lanka Red Cross Society in 1972. The society was recognized by Royal Charter in1951 and as a charitable organization in 1959, by a gazette notification of the Finance Ministry. It was also registered under the Social Service Act 33 of 1980.