| Colonel | |
| Country: |  Sri Lanka |
| Abbreviation: | Col |
| Formation: | 1949 |
| Nato Rank: | OF- 5 |
| Higher Rank: | Brigadier |
| Lower Rank: | Lieutenant colonel |
| Equivalents: | – Captain – Group Captain |
Colonel (Col) is a senior officer rank in the Sri Lanka Army that is a superior rank to lieutenant colonel and subordinate to Brigadier. The rank has a NATO rank code of OF-5, equivalent to captain in the Sri Lanka Navy and group captain in the Sri Lanka Air Force. It was the highest rank in the Ceylon Defence Force.
The title Colonel of the Regiment (to distinguish it from the military rank of colonel) continues to be used in the modern Sri Lanka Army. The ceremonial position is often conferred on retired general officers, brigadiers or colonels who have a close link to a particular regiment. When attending functions as "Colonel of the Regiment", the titleholder wears the regimental uniform with rank insignia of (full) colonel, regardless of their official rank.[1] A Colonel of the Regiment is expected to work closely with a regiment and its Regimental Association.
The rank insignia for a colonel is a Sri Lanka emblem over two "pips".