Country ISO code: LK

Official languages: Sinhala and Tamil

Language ISO codes: si (Sinhala), ta (Tamil)

Current official currency: Sri Lankan Rupee

Currency ISO code: LKR

Complete Financial History of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

Current official currency: Sri Lankan Rupee (රු)

• ISO code: LKR

• Symbols: රු, LKR

• Singular name: Rupee

• Plural name: Rupees

• Monetary subdivision: 1 Rupee = 100 Cents

• Fraction singular name: Cent

• Fraction plural name: Cents

• Initial production date: 1794 (coinage began under British colonial rule)

• Final production date: Still in circulation

• Initial circulation date: 1794

• Final circulation date: Still in circulation

• Mint: Central Bank of Sri Lanka

• Issuing bank: Central Bank of Sri Lanka

Coin denominations

• 1 Cent

• 2 Cents

• 5 Cents

• 10 Cents

• 25 Cents

• 50 Cents

• 1 Rupee

Banknote denominations

• 1 Rupee

• 2 Rupees

• 5 Rupees

• 10 Rupees

• 20 Rupees

• 50 Rupees

• 100 Rupees

• 200 Rupees

• 500 Rupees

• 1000 Rupees

Economic and historical context

• Initially, Sri Lanka used British and Indian coins during colonial times.

• The Rupee was introduced as the official currency in 1872, subdivided into 100 cents.

• After independence in 1948, the Sri Lankan Rupee was adopted, with issuance and control by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka since 1950.

• The currency has undergone reforms including the introduction of polymer banknotes and commemorative coins.

• The economy has faced inflationary periods and crises, but the Rupee remains the official and circulating currency.

Minting and production locations

• Coins and banknotes are produced by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

• Banknotes are printed by De La Rue Lanka Currency and Securities Print (Pvt) Ltd, a joint venture between the Sri Lankan government and British company De La Rue.

Designs and symbols on coins and banknotes

• Coins feature national symbols, native fauna and flora of Sri Lanka.

• Banknotes depict national leaders, historical monuments, and cultural elements, with inscriptions in Sinhala and Tamil.

Production volumes, honorees, and seals

• The Central Bank periodically publishes data on coin and banknote issuances.

• Commemorative coins and banknotes have been issued to celebrate national events and historical figures.

Commemorative coins and curiosities

• Sri Lanka issues commemorative coins for independence anniversaries, historical personalities, and cultural events.

Current circulation status

• The Sri Lankan Rupee is the sole legal tender and is actively circulated throughout the country.

Issuing authority

• Central Bank of Sri Lanka

Relevant monetary legislation

• Currency issuance and regulation are governed by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act and national financial laws.

Names and titles of banknote signatories

• Banknotes bear the signatures of the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the Secretary of the Treasury.

Persons honored on coins and banknotes

• National leaders, historical figures, and cultural symbols are featured on Sri Lankan coins and banknotes.

Official languages recognized by the state for administrative, legislative, judicial, monetary, and educational use:
Sinhala is the predominant official language, with Tamil also officially recognized and widely used in administrative, legislative, judicial, financial, and educational domains.