2022-05-04 Wed

The Sri Lankan Rupee is the currency of Sri Lanka. The symbol ? is generally used, but the currency code "LKR" is occasionally used to distinguish it from other currencies also called the rupee.

The British pound became Ceylon's official money of account in 1825 which was replaced on 26 September 1836 when the Indian rupee was made Ceylon's standard currency. The Government of Ceylon introduced its first rupee banknote issue in 1885 and from 1977; banknotes were issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

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

The 2000 rupee note shown above was issued in the year 2005. The banknote depicts on the front wedding ceremony procession, dressed elephant for a wedding ceremony, Sigiriya Lion's Rock and King Kashyapa I castle ruins, and traditional Ceremonial sunshade and fan - Sesath or Sesatha attached to Mura Audaya (spear).

The reverse depicts a Sigiriya fresco from the 6th Century AD depicting a topless female holding flower in her hands and a vertical gold band with a repeated lotus motif.

Image Courtesy: Colnect.com