Current Note Series

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has the sole right and authority to issue currency in Sri Lanka as stipulated in the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act No.16 of 2023.

After the establishment of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka in 1950, eleven note series have been issued under eleven themes.

Eleventh Note Series

The theme of the eleventh series of notes issued in 2010 is “Development, Prosperity and Sri Lankan Dancers”.

Rs. 20 Note

 Predominant Colour : Maroon             Dimensions    : 128 x 67 mm

Front of the note

At the center of the front of the note, is a drawing of the view of the Port of Colombo as seen now and in history. The bird that appears on the right is the Sri Lanka Serendib Scops Owl (Otus thilohoffmanni). The butterfly that appears on the lower left corner is the Baronet (Symphaedra nais).

Back of the note

When the back of the note is viewed vertically, at the center there is a traditional Ves Netuma Dancer dancing to the tune of the Geta Bera Drummer next to him. The Punkalasa, or the “pot of plenty”, which is a symbol of prosperity, is on the top right of the note. A Liya Vela, or “the stylized floral motif” appears on the right side of the note.

Rs. 50 Note

Predominant Colour : Blue           Dimensions   : 133 x 67 mm

Front of the note

The newly constructed bridge in Manampitiya appears on the center of the note. The formerly used bridge, over which both trains and other vehicles ran, appears to the left of the new bridge. Above both, is the faint visualization of a historical railway arch bridge.  The bird on the right side of the note is the Sri Lankan Dull Blue Flycatcher (Eumyias sordida). The butterfly on the left is the Blue Oakleaf (Kallima philarchus).

Back of the note

When the back of the note is viewed vertically, a Vadiga Patuna Dancer (who belongs to the low country dancing tradition) is dancing to the tune of the Yakbera drummer, playing his Yakbera drum to the left of the dancer. The guard-stone of the Punkalasa, or the “pot of plenty”, which is a symbol of prosperity, is on the top right of the note. A Liya Vela, or “the stylized floral motif” appears on the right side of the note.

Rs. 100 Note

 Predominant Colour : Orange           Dimensions   : 138 x 67 mm

Front of the note

The Norochcholai Coal Power Plant Project is at the center of the note, above which is the Laxapana waterfall with the cables that transmit the hydro-power generated by the waterfall. The bird on the right is the Sri Lankan Orange Billed Babbler (Turdoides rufescens) and the butterfly on the left is the Autumn Leaf (Doleschallia bisaltidae).

 

Back of the note

When the back of the note is viewed vertically, a Mridangam drummer is seated playing his drum. To his right is a Bharatanatyam dancer. The Naga (seven headed cobra) guard-stone is at the top right. The double floral design called the “Dvithva Liya Vela” appears on the right.

Rs. 500 Note

 Predominant Colour : Purple             Dimensions    : 143 x 67 mm

Front of the note

At the center of the front of the note, the World Trade Center twin towers and the Bank of Ceylon head office building situated in Colombo are depicted. To the right of this image is the ancient Buddhist temple called the “Lankathilake Viharaya” in Kandy. The bird to the right of the note is the Sri Lankan Emerald Collared Parakeet (Layard’s Parakeet – Psittacula calthropae) and the butterfly to the left is the Ceylon Indigo Royal (Tajuria arida).

 

Back of the note

When the back of the note is viewed vertically, is the Thelme Netuma dancer with a Yak Bera drummer to his left. The Padmanidhi guard-stone is to the top right. The double floral design called the “Dvithva Liya Vela” appears from top to bottom of the right side.

Rs. 1000 Note

 Predominant Colour : Green           Dimensions    : 148 x 67 mm

Front of the note

On the front center of the note, a drawing of the newly constructed Ramboda tunnel can be seen. To the left of the drawing of the tunnel, is another drawing of the rock wall that used to be, before the tunnel was built. The bird that appears to the right of the note is the Sri Lankan Hanging Parrot (Loriculus beryllinus) while the butterfly that appears to the left of the note is the White Four Ring (Ypthima ceylonica).

 

Back of the note

On the back of the note, a Daul Bera drummer and a Malpadaya Netuma dancer are depicted. At the top right of the tone, a drawing of a guard-stone with guardian dieties appears. Along the right side of the note, double floral design called the “Dvithva Liya Vela” appears.

Rs. 5000 Note

 Predominant Colour : Gold           Dimensions    : 153 x 67 mm

Front of the note

At the center of the note, drawings of two dams appear. The one on the left is the Weheragala dam. The faint image on the right is the Canyon dam. The bird to the right is the Sri Lankan Yellow Eared Bulbul (Pycnonotus penicllatus) and the butterfly to the left is the Lemon Migrant (Catopsilia Pomona).

 

Back of the note

In the center, a Nagaraksha dancer and a Guruluraksha dancer are depicted. The Rathnaprasadaya guard-stone appears to the top right of the note. The “Kalpavrksha” floral design appears along the right side.