Commemorative coins to mark the 2600th Sambuddhathva Jayanthi

Sakyamuni Gauthama Buddha, the unparalleled religious leader of the world’s Buddhists attained enlightenment 2600 years ago. The 2600th anniversary of this religious event (Sambuddhathva Jayanthi) will fall on the full moon day in the month of Vesak (May) 2011.

To mark this occasion the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) will issue two coins in the denominations of Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 10. The Rs. 1,000 coin, frosted proof silver coin is a commemorative coin and the Rs. 10 coin is a normal circulation standard coin. In terms of section 52A (1) (a) and (b) of the Monetary Law Act (Amended) No.6 of 1998, the CBSL issues commemorative coins and notes with the approval of the Minister of Finance. The CBSL has issued commemorative coins to mark important events and persons since 1957 and the Sambuddhathva Jayanthi coins will be the 52nd and 53rd commemorative coins that are being issued.

The Rs. 1,000 silver coin is round in shape and the diameter is 38.61 mm with a weight of 28.28 grammes. The coin will be issued in an attractive presentation case accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from the Royal Mint Ltd, UK. The Rs. 10 coin is a circulation standard coin similar to the existing Rs. 10 coin presently in circulation.

The Rs. 1,000 coin was officially handed over to the Minister of Finance and Planning, President Mahinda Rajapaksa by Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabral last week.

The Rs. 1,000 coin is a limited issue of 2,000 coins, priced at Rs. 7,500 per coin was available for sale through the counters at the Head Office of the CBSL, 30, Janadhipathi Mawatha Colombo 1; Money Museum at No.58, Sri Jayewardenepura Mawatha, Rajagiriya; CBSL Provincial Offices at Anuradhapura, Matara, Matale, Jaffna and Trincomalee and online through the CBSL web site: www.cbsl.gov.lk. from yesterday. The Rs. 10 coin will be issued to circulation in the month of June 2011.