Central Bank issues new series of currency notes

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) yesterday released for circulation, a new series of currency notes on the theme “Development, Prosperity and Sri Lanka Dancers” to coincide with the 63rd anniversary of the Independence Day.

The first set of currency notes was ceremonially issued to President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Deyata Kirula Exhibition in Buttala by the Governor of the Central Bank Ajith Nivard Cabraal and to the public at the exhibition site. The new notes will be issued to the public through commercial banks from Monday, 7 February 2011.

This is the 11th series of currency notes of the Central Bank to be issued since its establishment in 1950. The existing note series which was the 10th series of circulation notes, was introduced by the CBSL in 1991, over 20 years ago.  The new series consists of six denominations i.e. Rs. 5,000, Rs. 1,000, Rs. 500, Rs. 100, Rs. 50 and Rs. 20. The high value Rs. 5000 note is being introduced to facilitate expansion in transactions that has taken place with the growth of the economy.

The main difference between the existing series and the new series is the size of the notes. The width of all notes in the new series is the same for all denominations, while the length increases by 5 mm from the lowest denomination to the highest.

The notes carry the signatures in facsimile of the Minister of Finance, President Mahinda Rajapaksa; and the Governor of the Central Bank, Ajith Nivard Cabraal. The date on the notes is 1.1.2010.