Sri Lanka Bank Notes
Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) is the institution, which was empowered by the Monetary Law Act as the sole authority to issue currency in Sri Lanka. Since its inception in 1950, the CBSL has issued eleven currency note series under eleven themes in different years as follows:
Note Series currently in circulation
The notes that are widely seen in circulation belong to 10 and 11 series of notes issued by the CBSL.
10th Note Series - Sri Lanka Heritage – 1991
This series consists of the following denominations: Rs. 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 2000.
Rs.10 Currency Note
Front
An image of a lion carved of stone seen at Yapahuwa appears on the right and a moonstone design in the centre.
Back
The Old Parliament Building (at present the Presidential Secretariat) with a vignette of tree blossoms in the foreground.
Rs. 20 Currency Note
Front
A traditional Sinhalese Mask on the right and a moonstone design in the centre
Back
Two fishermen perched on stilts and a conch shell placed on a coral reef.
Rs. 50 Currency Note
Front
A headgear of a Sri Lankan dancer on the right, an ancient guardstone at the centre left and a moonstone design in the centre.
back
A sword hilt with intricate carvings and the Thuparama Dagoba and the Abayagiriya Dagoba in the background.
Rs. 100 Currency Note
Front
An ancient decorated pot in the right side and a moonstone design in the center.
back
Two parrots with two female tea pluckers picking tea leaves and beautiful scenery from the hill country in the background.
Rs. 500 Currency Note
Front
Two drummers to the right, a Kandyan dancer at the centre left, a moonstone design in the centre and an image of the Sri Maha Bodi in the background.
Back
Orchid flowers with Ruwanweli Maha Seya at Anuradhapura in the background.
Rs. 1000 Currency Note
Front
A beautifully decorated tusker with its mahout on the right, a tusker carrying Tooth Relic in the centre left and a moonstone design in the centre.
Back
Two peacocks with an image of the Octagon of the Tooth Relic in Kandy in the background.
Rs. 2000 Currency Note
Front
An image of Sigiriya Rock in the centre and a Sesatha on the right.
Back
A damsel holding a flower (A fresco of Sigiriya).
11th Note Series
Development, Prosperity and Sri Lanka Dancers – 2011
This series consists of following denominations: Rs. 20,50,100,500,1000 and 5000.
Rs. 20 Currency Note
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 - "Punkalasa" (pot of plenty) guard stone, " Liya-vela" (single floral design) and map of Sri Lanka.
Rs. 50 Currency Note
Front
New bridge at Manampitiya alongside the old bridge and an 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 "Yak bera" drummer.
Background - "Punkalasa" guard stone, "Liya-vela" (single floral design)and map of Sri Lanka.
Rs. 100 Currency Note
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
Front
The World Trade Centre and Bank of Ceylon Headquarters (city of Colombo). An ancient Buddhist temple "Lankatilaka Viharaya" at Kandy in the background.
The bird - " Sri Lanka 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. Background - "Padmanidhi" guard stone, "Dvithva liya-vela" and map of Sri Lanka.
Rs. 1000 Currency Note
Front
New Ramboda Tunnel and the rock wall/hood at the same location in the background.
The bird - "Sri Lanka 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, "Dvithva liya-vela" and map of Sri Lanka.
Rs. 5000 Currency Note
Front
Weheragala Dam and Canyon Dam in the background. The bird - "Sri Lanka Yellow Eared Bulbul"; The butterfly - "The Lemon Migrant".
Back
"Nagaraksha" and "Guruluraksha" dancers (Low Country mask dance) Background- "Rathnaprasada" guard stone, "Kalpavruksa" (Wishgranting Tree) floral design and map of Sri Lanka.
Commemorative Notes
Since its inception, the CBSL has issued 3 commemorative notes to mark important events and persons.
50th Anniversary of Independence of Sri Lanka– 1998
A polymer currency note in the denomination of Rs. 200 has been issued to mark this event.
Front
The front of the note depicts the theme - progress during 50 years of independence. Independence square-Colombo, Free education and health services, Gal Oya development project, Electricity development, Telecommunications development, Investment promotion zone, Industrial development, Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), Mahaweli development project, New Parliament complex of Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, Development of the Colombo city and the port, Unity and peace.
Back
Sri Dalada Maligawa with Octagon, Advent of Prince Vijaya, Arrival of Arahant Mahinda and introduction of Buddism during the reign of King Dewanampiyatissa, Statue of King Parakramabahu I and his construction Sea of Parakrama, Sigiriya rock and frescoes, Invasion of Sri Lanka by the Portuguese and the Dutch and conquest by the British.
Ushering of Peace and Prosperity to Sri Lanka - 2009
Rs. 1000 Currency Note
Front
With the theme of one country and one nation in harmony, progressing towards prosperity under the leadership of His Excellency the President, Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Image of His Excellency the President, Mahinda Rajapaksa. A map of
Sri Lanka with the rising sun in the background and a 'Punkalasa' with ears of paddy at center left depicts territorial integrity and prosperity respectively, that are results of national harmony and peace.
back
With the theme of the valiant contribution made by the nation's victorious sons and daughters of the security forces and the police.
The design at the center depicts the hoisting of the national flag by members of the security forces. Images of the Ma-vil Aru annicut and Thoppigala rock (Baron's Cap) that were turning points of humanitarian operation of the security forces appear in the background.
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Sri Lanka from 15th to 17th November 2013.
Rs. 500 Currency Note
Front
CHOGM 2013 Sri Lanka logo in purple colour at bottom left.
The World Trade Centre and Bank of Ceylon Headquarters (in the city of Colombo).
An ancient Buddhist temple "Lankatilake Viharaya" at Kandy in the background.
The bird - " Sri Lanka Emerald Collard Parakeet (Layard's Parakeet)"
Back
"Thelme Netuma" dancer ("Devol Maduwa" ritual – Low Country
Dance form) and a "Yak bera" drummer. "Padmanidi" guard stone.
"Dvithva liya-vela" (double floral design) and a map of Sri Lanka in the background.
Commemorative Coins
The CBSL has issued 57 commemorative coins to mark important events and persons since 1957. From those coins, some circulation standard commemorative coins that are currently seen in circulation are shown below.
Accelarated Mahaweli Development Scheme - 1981
Rs. 2 Coin – Copper/Nickel
Obverse - The Mahaweli Development Scheme
3rd Anniversary of Induction of Executive Presidency of Ranasinghe Premadasa – 1992
Re. 1 Coin – Copper/Nickel
Obverse - An effigy of the President Ranasinghe Premadasa within a circle of beads. Reverse - President’s flag and two lions in the National Flag facing each other.
50th Anniversary of Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) – 1995
Rs. 2 Coin – Copper/Nickel
Obverse - Official 50th Anniversary logo of the UNICEF.
50th Anniversary of Independence of Sri Lanka - 1998
Rs. 10 Coin - Bimetal Coin (Inner disc – Nickel/Brass, Outer ring Copper/Nickel)
Obverse - Dalada Maligawa in Kandy with the Octagon.
Winning of Cricket World Cup - 1996
Rs. 5 Coin – Nickel/Brass
Obverse - Two cricketers – a batsman and a wicket-keeper
Reverse - 1996 Cricket World Cup.
2550th Anniversary of Buddha
(2550 Buddha Jayanthi) - 2006
Rs. 5 Coin - Brass plated steel
Obverse - Sri Pada Mountain as the central design with Dharma Chakra at the top.
2007 Cricket World Cup Sri Lanka Runners-up – 2007
Rs. 5 Coin – Brass plated steel
Obverse - An artistic impression of a bowler.
Reverse - The heraldic lion in the National Flag.
60th Anniversary of Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) – 2011
Rs. 2 Coin – Nickel plated steel
Obverse - 60th Anniversary logo of SLAF, an artist’s impression of a chipmunk aircraft appears below the logo and another three aircraft; Mig 27, C 130 and MI 24.
2600th Anniversary of Sambuddhathwa Jayanthi – 2011
Rs. 10 Coin – Nickel plated steel
Obverse - A 'Dharma Chakra' (wheel of Doctrine) with 24 lattice symbolizing 'Suwisi Wivarana'.
Years Scouting in Sri Lanka – 2012
Rs. 2 Coin – Nickel plated steel
Obverse - The world scout badge encircled by the lotus emblem which signifies peace and prosperity.