Sri Lankan rupee

Sri Lankan rupee
ශ්‍රී ලංකා රුපියල Template:Si icon ; இலங்கை ரூபாய் Template:Ta icon
File:LKR50F.jpg
50-rupee note	5-rupee coin
ISO 4217
Code	LKR (numeric: 144)
Subunit	0.01
Unit
Symbol	රු, ₨ or Rs (possibly also SL₨s or SLRs)‎
Denominations
Subunit
1/100	cents
Banknotes	Rs. 20, Rs. 50, Rs. 100, Rs. 500, Rs. 1000, Rs. 2000
Coins
Freq. used	25, 50 cents, Rs. 1, Rs. 2, Rs. 5, Rs. 10
Rarely used	1, 2, 5, 10 cents
Demographics
User(s)	Sri Lanka
Issuance
Central bank	Central Bank of Sri Lanka
Website	www.cbsl.lk
Printer	De la Rue Lanka Currency and Securities Print (Pvt) Ltd
Website	www.delarue.com
Mint	Royal Mint, United Kingdom
Website	www.royalmint.com
Valuation
Inflation	3.5%
Source	The World Factbook, 2007 est.

The rupee (Sinhala: රුපියල , Tamil: ரூபாய்) (sign: ₨; code: LKR) is the currency of Sri Lanka, divided into 100 cents. It is issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and is generally written Rs. (though SLRs. may occasionally be used for disambiguation).

History

The British pound became Ceylon's official money of account in 1825, replacing the Ceylonese rixdollar at a rate of 1 pound = 13⅓ rixdollars, and British silver coin was made legal tender. Treasury notes denominated in pounds were issued in 1827, replacing the earlier rixdollar notes. Rixdollar notes not presented for exchange were demonetized in June 1831.

The Indian rupee was made Ceylon's standard coin 26 September 1836, and Ceylon reverted to the Indian currency area. Pound-denominated treasury notes continued to circulate after 1836, along with the rupee. The legal currency remained British silver and accounts were kept in pounds, shillings and pence. However, payments were made in rupees and annas at the "fictitious par" (fixed accounting rate) of 2 shillings per rupee (i.e., 1 pound = 10 rupees).

The Bank of Ceylon was the first private bank to issue banknotes on the island (1844) and Treasury notes were withdrawn in 1856.

The Indian rupee was formally established as the unlimited legal tender 18 June 1869. The rupee was decimalized 23 August 1871. Thus, the rupee of 100 cents became Ceylon's money of account and sole legal tender effective 1 January 1872, replacing British currency at a rate of 1 rupee = 2 shillings 3 pence.

Coins

In 1872, copper ¼, ½, 1 and 5 cents coins dated 1870 were introduced, followed in 1892 by silver 10, 25 and 50 cents. Production of the ¼ cent ceased in 1904. The large, copper 5 cents coins was replaced in 1909 by a much smaller cupro-nickel coin which was square with rounded corners. In 1919, the fineness of silver used was reduced from .800 to .550.

Between 1940 and 1944, a wholesale change in the coinage was carried out. Production of the ½ cent ceased in 1940, with bronze 1 cent introduced in 1942. Nickel-brass replaced cupro-nickel in the 5 cents in the same year and replaced silver in the 25 and 50 cents in 1943. In 1944, nickel-brass, scalloped shaped 2 and 10 cents coins were introduced.

In 1963, a new coinage was introduced which omitted the monarchs portrait. Coins issued were aluminium 1 and 2 cents, nickel brass 5 and 10 cents and cupro-nickel 25 and 50 cents and 1 rupee. In 1978, aluminium replaced nickel-brass in the 5 and 10 cents. Cupro-nickel 2 rupees and aluminium-bronze 5 rupees coins were introduced in 1984.

The obverse of the coins issued since 1963 carry the Armorial Ensign of Sri Lanka. The reverse of the coin the value in numerals and in Sinhala, Tamil and English below and year of issue at the bottom with SRI LANKA in Sinhala on top. On 14 December 2005, the Sri Lanka central bank issued a new series of coins in the denominations of 25 and 50 cents, 1, 2 and 5 rupees. The lower denominations of 1, 2, 5 and 10 cents, although legal tender, are not seen in circulation and not in general issued by banks.

The observe and reverse designs of the new coins remained identical to the existing circulating coins of the same denominations. However their weights and alloys have been changed for easy identification purposes.

On 5 April 2010 Sri Lanka replaced the 10-rupee note with a coin.^[2]

Current Coins of Sri Lanka
Image	Value	Obverse	Reverse	Metal	Dimensions	Weight	Thickness	Year
	25 cents	Country name, date and value	Armorial Ensign	Copper plated Steel	16.0 mm	1.68 g	1.2 mm	2005
	50 cents			Copper plated Steel	18.0 mm	2.5 g	1.4 mm
	One rupee			Brass plated Steel	20.0 mm	3.65 g	1.7 mm
	Two rupees			Nickel-plated Steel	28.5 mm	7.0 g	1.5 mm
	Five rupees			Brass plated Steel	23.5 mm	7.7 g	2.7 mm
	Ten rupees			Nickel-plated Steel	26.4 mm (Hendecagon)	8.36 g	2.1 mm	2009

Commemorative coins

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has issued commemorative coins since 1957.

On December 15, 2010, to mark the 60th Anniversary, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka issued a Frosted Proof crown size multi-colour silver commemorative coin in the denomination of Rupees 5000. It was the first multi-colour coin issued by the Central Bank.

Commemorative coins issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka:

Commemorative Coins of Sri Lanka
Image	Value (Rs.)	Description	Obverse	Reserve	Diameter/Size (mm)	Metal	Weight (Grams)	Year
File:Buddha jayanthi5.jpg	5	2500th Anniversary of the passing away of Buddha (Buddha Jayanthi)			38.61	Silver (0.925)	28.28	1957
	1	2500th Anniversary of the passing away of Buddha (Buddha Jayanthi)			28.50	Copper Nickel	11.31	1957
	2	2nd World Food Congress			31.50	Copper Nickel	12.35	1968
	5	5th Non-Aligned Summit Conference			32.84	Nickel	13.60	1976
	2	5th Non-Aligned Summit Conference			30.00	Copper Nickel	13.50	1976
	1	1st Executive Presidency (J. R. Jayawardhane)			24.50	Copper Nickel	7.13	1978
	1	1st Executive Presidency (J. R. Jayawardhane)			24.50	Gold 22 Caret	12.00	1978
	5	50 Years of Universal Adult Franchise			29.0 / 30.28	Copper Nickel	9.60	1981
	2	The Mahaweli Development Scheme			28.50	Copper Nickel	8.25	1981
	5	International Year of Shelter for the Homeless			25.0 - 30.0	Copper Nickel	11.70	1987
File:Sl centralbank 40aniv.jpg	500	40th Anniversary of Central Bank of Sri Lanka			38.61	Silver	28.28	1990
File:Sl saarc100.jpg	100	5th South Asian Federation Games - Colombo			22.0 - 29.4	Silver	10.20	1991
File:Sl saarc500.jpg	500	5th South Asian Federation Games - Colombo			14	Gold 12 Caret	1.6	1991
File:Premadasa onerupee.jpg	1	3rd Anniversary of Induction of Excective Presidency - R. Premadasa			25.40	Copper Nickel	7.13	1992
File:Mihidu jayanthi.jpg	500	2300 Anubudu Mihindu Jayanthi			38.61	Silver	28.28	1993
File:Bc0034 un 5 1995.jpg	5	50th Anniversary, United Nations			23.50	Ni / Br	9.50	1995
	5000	50th Anniversary of Sri Lanka regaining Independence			22.05	Gold (22 Caret)	7.98	1998
	1000	50th Anniversary of Sri Lanka regaining Independence			38.61	Silver	28.28	1998
	10	50th Anniversary of Sri Lanka regaining Independence			Outer ring 27.0 Inner disc 18.0	Bi Metal Outer ring Cu/Ni Inner dics Ni/Br	9.00	1998
File:Slcricket1000.jpg	1000	Wining of the 1996 Cricket World Cup			38.61	Silver	28.28	1999
	5	Wining of the 1996 Cricket World Cup			23.50	Ni / Br	9.50	1999
File:Sla onerupee.jpg	1	50th Anniversary of Sri Lanka Army			25.40	Nickel plated Steel	7.13	1999
File:Sl central bank1000.jpg	1000	50th Anniversary Central Bank of Sri Lanka			38.61	Silver	28.28	2000
File:Sl independence aniv.jpg	1000	50th Anniversary of Sri Lanka regaining Independence			38.61	Silver	28.28	1998
File:Sln onerupee.jpg	1	50th Anniversary of Sri Lanka Navy			25.40	Cu-Ni	7.13	2000
	1	50th Anniversary of Sri Lanka Air Force			25.40	Cu / Ni	7.13	2000
	2	50th Anniversary of the Colombo Plan			28.50	Cu / Ni	8.25	2000
	5	250th Annivesary of Syamopasampadawa (Weliwita Sri Saranankara Sangaraja Mahimi)			23.50	Ni / Br	9.50	2003
	1500	2550th Anniversary of the passing away of Buddha			38.61	Silver (0.925)	28.28	2006
	2000	2550th Anniversary of the passing away of Buddha			38.61	Silver (Selective Gold Plated)	28.28	2006
	5	2550th Anniversary of the passing away of Buddha			23.50	Br plated Steel	9.50	2006
	1000	Cricket World Cup 2007 (Runner up)			32	Ni plated Steel	12	2007
	5	Cricket World Cup 2007 (Runner up)			28.50	Brass plated Steel	7.00	2007
	1000	50th Anniversary of Emplyee's Provident Fund Commemorative Coin			28.50	Nickel Plated Steel (Brilliant un Circulated)	7.00	2008
	2	50th Anniversary of Emplyee's Provident Fund Commemorative Coin			28.50	Nickel Plated Steel	7.00	2008
	200	Sri Lanka Customs Commemorative coin				Silver	10.50	2008
	1000	60th Anniversery of the Sri Lanka Army			28.50	Silver	11.90	2009
	1000	60th Anniversery of the Sri Lanka Army			28.50	Cu-Ni	8.25	2009
	5000	60th Anniversary Central Bank of Sri Lanka ^[3]	Central Bank Crest	A tree depicting the growth and the stability of Sri Lanka's economy	38.61	Silver	28.28	2010

Banknotes

Portraits of former Sri Lankan prime ministers and the incumbent president Mahinda Rajapakse have graced the fronts of Sri Lankan bank notes, while the backs have featured Sri Lankan fauna and flora, Sri Lankan landscapes and industries, and images depicting Sri Lankan culture, history, and achievements.

In 1895, the Government of Ceylon introduced its first paper money in the form of 5 rupee notes. These were followed by 10 rupee notes in 1894, 1000 rupee notes in 1899, 50 rupee notes in 1914, 1 and 2 rupee notes in 1917 and 100 and 500 rupee notes in 1926. In 1942, emergency issues for 5, 10, 25 and 50 cents were introduced and issued until 1949.

In 1951, the Central Bank of Ceylon took over the issuance of paper money, introducing 1 and 10 rupee notes. These were followed in 1952 by 2, 5, 50 and 100 rupee notes. The 1 rupee notes were replaced by coins in 1963.

From 1977, banknotes were issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. 20 rupees notes were introduced in 1979, followed by 500 and 1000 rupees in 1981, 200 rupees in 1998 and 2000 rupees in 2006. Sri Lankan banknotes are unusual in that they are printed vertically on the reverse. The 200 rupee note is printed on a polymer substrate. Banknotes are printed by the De la Rue Lanka Currency and Securities Print (Pvt) Ltd, a joint venture of the Government of Sri Lanka and De La Rue, a printing company in the United Kingdom.

Current series

The Heritage Series has seen many revisions throughout its life since 1991. The 1995 revision had an enhanced latent image at the center bottom of obverse sides. The 2001 revision added wider metallic strip to the 500 and 1000 rupee notes.

Current Series in Circulation
Obverse	Reverse	Value	Dimensions	Color	Printed Date	Issued Date
		10 rupees^‡		Green	1 January 1991 1 July 1992 19 August 1994 15 November 1995 12 December 2001 10 April 2004 19 November 2005
		20 rupees	128 X 63 mm	Purple
File:LKR50F.jpg		50 rupees		Blue
		100 rupees	143 X 71 mm	Orange	As above, without the 1994 revision
File:Cur sl 500.jpg	File:Cur sl 500 r.jpg	500 rupees		Light Orange and Purple	As above, without the 1994 revision
File:Cur sl 1000 f.jpg	File:Cur sl 1000 r.jpg	1000 rupees	158 X 79 mm	Light Green	1 January 1991 1 July 1992 15 November 1995 12 December 2001 10 April 2004 1 July 2004 19 November 2005 3 July 2006
		2000 rupees		Orange	19 November 2005	17 October 2006

‡ On 5 April 2010 Sri Lanka replaced the 10 rupee note with a coin.^[4]

Former series

King George VI series
Image	Value	Dimensions	Color	Obverse	Reverse	Printed Date	Issued Date	Watermark
	One Rupee						1951
	10 Rupees						1951

Queen Elizabeth II Series
Image	Value	Dimensions	Color	Obverse	Reverse	Printed Date	Issued Date	Watermark
	One Rupee		Light Blue				1952
	2 Rupees						1952
	5 Rupees						1952
	10 Rupees						1952
	50 Rupees						1952
	100 Rupees						1952

Armorial Ensign of Ceylon Series
Image		Value	Dimensions	Color	Obverse	Reverse	Printed Date	Issued Date	Watermark
File:Cur sl 1 1963.jpg	File:Cur sl 1 1963 r.jpg	One Rupee		Light Blue			5 June 1963	1956
		2 Rupees						1956
		5 Rupees						1956
		10 Rupees						1956
		50 Rupees						1956
		100 Rupees						1956

S. W. R. D. Bandaranayake Portrait Series
Image		Value	Dimensions	Color	Obverse	Reverse	Printed Date	Issued Date	Watermark
		2 Rupees						1962
		5 Rupees						1962
		10 Rupees						1962
File:Cur sl 50 1974.jpg	File:Cur sl 50 1974 r.jpg	50 Rupees		Purple, Light Green			1974	1962
		100 Rupees						1962

Vignette of Parakramabahu, The Great Series
Image	Value	Dimensions	Color	Obverse	Reverse	Printed Date	Issued Date	Watermark
	2 Rupees			Vignette of Parakramabahu			1965
File:Cur sl 5 1974.jpg	5 Rupees		Red	Vignette of Parakramabahu		27 August 1974	1965
File:Cur sl 10 1971.jpg	10 Rupees		Green	Vignette of Parakramabahu		7 June 1971	1965
	50 Rupees			Vignette of Parakramabahu			1965
	100 Rupees			Vignette of Parakramabahu			1965

Armorial Ensign of Sri Lanka Series
Image		Value	Dimensions	Color	Obverse	Reverse	Printed Date	Issued Date	Watermark
		50 Rupees		Light Purple	Armorial Ensign	Terraced hillside	26 August 1977	1975
File:Cur sl 100 1977.jpg	File:Cur sl 100 1977 r.jpg	100 Rupees		Light Purple, Gray	Armorial Ensign		1977	1975

Fauna and Flora Series
Image	Value	Dimensions	Color	Obverse	Reverse	Printed Date	Issued Date	Watermark
File:Cur sl 2 1979.jpg	2 Rupees		Red			26 March 1979	1979
File:Cur sl 10 1979.jpg	10 Rupees		Light Green			26 March 1979	1979
File:Cur sl 20 1979.jpg	20 Rupees		Ash, Light Blue			26 March 1979	1979
File:Cur sl 50 1979.jpg	50 Rupees		Light Blue			26 March 1979	1979
File:SriLanka-100Rupees-1979- f.jpg	100 Rupees		Yellow			26 March 1979	1979

Historical and Archaeological Theme Series
Image		Value	Dimensions	Color	Obverse	Reverse	Printed Date	Issued Date	Watermark
File:Cur sl 5 1982.jpg	File:Cur sl 5 1982 r.jpg	5 Rupees		Red			1 January 1982	1981
File:Cur sl 10 1990 vf.jpg	File:Sri Lanka-10Rupees-1985 b.jpg	10 Rupees		Green	Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic		5 April 1990	1981
File:Cur sl 20 1990.jpg		20 Rupees		Purple	Moonstone		5 April 1990	1981
File:Cur sl 50 1982.jpg		50 Rupees		Blue			1 January 1982	1981
File:SriLanka-500 Rupees-1981 f.jpg	File:SriLanka-500Rupees-1981 b.jpg	500 Rupees		Light Brown			1 January 1981	1981
File:Cur sl 1000 1981.jpg	File:SriLanka-1000Rupees-1981 b.jpg	1000 Rupees		Light Green	Dam	Peacock, Mountains	1 January 1981	1981

Historical and Development Series
Image	Value	Dimensions	Color	Obverse	Reverse	Printed Date	Issued Date	Watermark
	500 Rupees		Light Brown				1987
	1000 Rupees		Green				1987

Commemorative notes

Commemorative Banknotes of Sri Lanka
Obverse	Reserve	Value	Description	Color	Dimensions	Printed Date	Issued Date	Material	Year
		200 Rupees	50th Anniversary of Sri Lanka regaining Independence	Blue	146.5 x 73.0 mm			polymer	1998
		1000 Rupees	The ushering of peace and prosperity to Sri Lanka	Blue	157 X 78.5 mm	20 May 2009	17 November 2009^[5]	paper	2009

Exchange rate

Current LKR exchange rates
From Google Finance:	AUD CAD CHF CNY EUR GBP HKD JPY USD INR
From Yahoo! Finance:	AUD CAD CHF CNY EUR GBP HKD JPY USD INR
From XE.com:	AUD CAD CHF CNY EUR GBP HKD JPY USD INR
From OANDA:	AUD CAD CHF CNY EUR GBP HKD JPY USD INR

References

^ Nachthund (2006-11-19). "Update - Sri Lanka". Retrieved 2007-02-19.
^ http://banknotenews.com/files/230fa502bdb45ba71dd23976d44d87d7-1072.html
^ "Commerative coin to mark the 60th anniversary of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka" (PDF). Central Bank of Sri Lanka. 2010-12-14. Retrieved 2010-12-19.
^ http://banknotenews.com/files/230fa502bdb45ba71dd23976d44d87d7-1072.html
^ "Sri Lanka new 1,000-rupee commemorative confirmed". Bank note News. 2009-12-19. Retrieved 2010-11-04.

Krause, Chester L.; Clifford Mishler (1991). Standard Catalog of World Coins: 1801–1991 (18th ed.). Krause Publications. ISBN 0873411501.
Pick, Albert (1994). Standard Catalog of World Paper Money: General Issues. Colin R. Bruce II and Neil Shafer (editors) (7th ed.). Krause Publications. ISBN 0-87341-207-9.
"Rs.1000 Commemorative Note to Mark the Ushering of Peace and Prosperity to Sri Lanka".

External links

[1] Nachthund (2006-11-19). "Update - Sri Lanka". Retrieved 2007-02-19.

[2] ttp://banknotenews.com/files/230fa502bdb45ba71dd23976d44d87d7-1072.html

[3] "Commerative coin to mark the 60th anniversary of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka" (PDF). Central Bank of Sri Lanka. 2010-12-14. Retrieved 2010-12-19.

[4] ttp://banknotenews.com/files/230fa502bdb45ba71dd23976d44d87d7-1072.html

[5] "Sri Lanka new 1,000-rupee commemorative confirmed". Bank note News. 2009-12-19. Retrieved 2010-11-04.

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