Sri Lanka Currency

Sri Lanka Currency Sri Lanka has a unified EXCHANGE RATE for foreign currencies which floats in response to basic exchange market developments. Sri Lanka has a decimal currency system. One Sri Lanka rupee is divided into 100 Sri Lanka cents. Currency notes are in the denominations are Rs 10/-, Rs 20/-, Rs 50/-, Rs 100/-, Rs 200/-, Rs 500/-, Rs 1000/- and Rs 2000/-

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 The Bank of Ceylon was the first private bank to issue banknotes on the island (1844) and Treasury notes were withdrawn in 1856.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

Cont- Denominations are clearly marked in figures on both sides of notes and stated in English in addition to Sinhala and Tamil. Coins commonly in use are the following denominations; 5 cents, 10 cents, 25 cents, 50 cents, One Rupee, Two Rupees, Five Rupees and Ten Rupees. The 1998 bi-metallic 10 Rupee commemorates the 50th anniversary of Sri Lanka's independence from Great Britain. The thick 2004 5 Rupee has edge lettering. The 2004 2 Rupees is a large coin. The new, smaller, recently introduced 1 Rupee, 50 cents and 25 cents are dated 2005. The 5 cents is square, the 2 and 10 cents have scalloped edges and the tiny 1 cent is round. All but the 10 Rupee has the Sri Lanka arms on the reverse.

The coins of Sri Lanka !0 Rupees 5 Rupees 2 Rupees 1 Rupee 50 cents

Currency Regulations: Visitors to Sri Lanka bringing in excess of US$ 10,000 should declare the amount to the Customs. All unspent money, which were converted from foreign currencies declared on arrival can be re-converted to original currency. You are required to produce encashment receipts. Credit Cards: Many hotels and shops accept reputed CREDIT CARDS. No surcharge should be permitted for its use. Cash advances are possible against CREDIT CARDS in certain banks. MasterCard and Visa are the most commonly accepted Cards.

International Transfers: Telegraphic transfer using a major or agency with branches worldwide such as ANZ grindlays or Thomas Cook is, all things being equal, efficient and fast. You can transfer MONEY via Western Union at Seylan Bank. Banking Facilities: Banking facilities have grown and widened tremendously to cope with the sophisticated needs of today's businessman Sri Lankan and foreign banks provide an expanding range of services to investors. Banking Hours: Banks keep increasingly flexible hours to suit customer convenience. All banks are open from 0900 hrs to 1300 hrs Monday to Friday. Some city banks close at 1500 hrs, while still others have night banking facilities too. Some banks are open on Saturdays for a limited number of hours for transactions. Banks are closed on Sundays, all Public Holidays and the special bank holidays on June 30 and December 31

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Presentation by Tharuka Nilanka of Grade 7B