Basic Banking Concepts: Currency in Sri Lanka

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has the sole right and authority to issue currency in Sri Lanka as stipulated in the Monetary Law Act No. 58 of 1949.

Legal Tender Currency

Legal Tender Currency is any official medium of payment recognized by law that can use extinguished a public or private debt or meet a financial obligation.

The national currency is legal tender in particularly in every country.

Current Note Series in Sri Lanka

Rs.20 Currency note

Predominant Colour: Maroon

Dimensions : 128 x 67 mm

Front : Port of Colombo (a recent and an early view).

The bird - "Sri Lanka Serendib Scops Owl"

The butterfly- "The Baronet"

Back : "Ves Netuma" Dancer (Kandyan dance form) and "Geta bera drummer.Background - Guard stone with "Punkalasa" (pot of plenty), "Liya vela" (single floral design) and map of Sri Lanka.

Rs. 50 Currency note

Predominant Colour : Blue

Dimensions : 133 x 67 mm

Front: new bridge at Manampitiya along side the old bridge and Demodara ancient railway arch bridge in the background.

The bird - "Sri Lanka Dull Blue Flycatcher"

The butterfly - "The Blue Oakleaf"

Back : "Vadiga Patuna" Dancer (Low country dance form) and is "Yak bera" drummer.Background - Guard stone with "Punkalasa", "Liya vela" and map of Sri Lanka.

Rs. 100 Currency note

Predominant Colour : Orange

Dimensions : 138 x 67 mm

Front: Norochcholai Coal Power Plant Project and Laxapana waterfall in the background.

The bird - "Sri Lanka Orange Billed Babbler"

The butterfly - "The Autumn Leaf"

Back : "Bharatanatyam" dancer (Classical South Indian dance form) and "Mridangam" drummer.Background - "Naga" guard stone, "Dvithva liya vela" (Double floral design) and map of Sri Lanka.

Rs. 500 Currency note

Predominant Colour : Purple

Dimensions : 143 x 67 mm

Front:The World Trade Center and Bank of Ceylon Headquarters (in the city of colombo).An ancient Buddhist temple “Lankathilake Viharaya” in Kandy in the background.

The bird: Sri Lankan Emerald Collared Parakeet (Layard’s Parakeet).

The butterfly : The Ceylon Indigo Royal

Back : "Thelme Netuma" dancer ("Devol Maduwa" ritual - Low Country dance form) and "Yak bera" drummer.

Baackground - "Padmanidhi" guard stone, "Dvithwa liya vela" and map of Sri Lanka.

Rs. 1000 Currency note

Predominant Colour : Green

Dimensions : 148 x 67 mm

Front : New Ramboda tunnel and the rock wall/hood at the same location in the background.

The bird - "Sri Lankan Hanging Parrot"

The butterfly - "The White Four Ring"

Back : "Malpadaya Netuma" dancer (Sabaragamuwa dance form) and "Davul bera" drummer.Background - Guard Stone with guardian deities, "Dvithwa liya vela" and map of Sri Lanka.

Rs. 5000 Currency note

Predominant Colour : Gold

Dimensions : 153 x 67 mm

Front : Weheragala Dam and Canyon Dam in the background.

The bird - "Sri Lankan Yellow Eared Bulbul"

The butterfly - "The Lemon Migrant"

Back : "Nagaraksha" and "Guruluraksha" dancers (Low Country mask dance). Background - "Rathnapura" guard stone, "Kalpavrksa" (Wish-granting Tree) floral design and map of Sri Lanka.