The Sri Lankan Rupee is the currency of Sri Lanka. The currency code for Rupees is LKR, and the currency symbol is Rs. SLRs. is occasionally used to distinguish it from other currencies also called rupee. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka issues LKR. It is divided into 100 cents. The most popular Sri Lanka Rupee exchange rate is the USD to LKR rate.
Currency Facts
| LKR Stats | LKR Profile |
| Name : Sri Lankan Rupee | Central Bank : Central Bank of Sri Lanka Website:http://www.cbsl.gov.lk |
| Symbol : Rs | Coins :Freq Used : 25, 50, 1LKR, 2LKR, 5LKR, 10LKR |
| Minor Unit : 1/100 = Cent | Banknotes : Freq Used : Rs10, Rs20, Rs50, Rs100, Rs500, Rs1000, Rs2000, Rs5000 |
| Top LKR Conversion:USD/LKR | Users : Sri Lanka |
History of Sri Lankan Rupee
Until 1825, Ceylonese rixdollar was the currency of Sri Lanka (called Ceylon back then). The British pound became Ceylon's official money of account in 1825, and British silver coin was made legal tender. The rixdollar notes were replaced by treasury notes denominated in pounds which were issued in 1827. Rixdollar notes not presented for exchange were demonetized in June 1831.
However, in 1836, Ceylon reverted to the Indian Currency area. The Indian rupee was made Ceylon's standard coin on 26 September of that year. 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 for a while.
The Bank of Ceylon was the first private bank to issue banknotes on the island (1844) and Treasury notes were withdrawn in 1856.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 legal tender 18 June 1869. On 1 January 1872, rupee of 100 cents became Ceylon's money of account and sole legal tender replacing British currency.
