Notes issue:

Theme: Development, Prosperity, SL dancers

by Thulasi MUTTULINGAM

A new series of notes has been issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) for the first time in 20 years. The last note series, which had as its theme, Sri Lanka Heritage, was introduced by CBSL in 1991.

The latest series, is the 11th series of currency notes to be issued by the CBSL since its inception in 1950. According to Superintendent of Currency. CBSL C. P. A. Karunathilake the latest series was conceived by CBSL Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal, to celebrate the Central Bank's sixtieth anniversary.

There are six denominations in this latest issue which have as their theme, "Development, Prosperity and Sri Lanka Dancers." The notes were officially launched at the Deyata Kirula Exhibition in Buttala on February 04, when the governor of CBSL ceremonially issued a folder of notes to President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The six denominations being newly issued are Rs. 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000 and 5,000. According to CBSL, the new Rs. 5000 note is being introduced to facilitate expansion in transactions that has taken place with the growth of the economy.

The new notes have been available to the public through all commercial banks since Monday, February 07. It is to be noted that the old notes will still be in circulation and continue to be valid. 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 main features of the notes are as follows:

Denomination size/Predominant colour

Rs. 20 128 x 67 mm Maroon

Rs. 50 133 x 67 mm Blue

Rs. 100 138 x 67 mm Orange

Rs. 500 143 x 67 mm Purple

Rs. 1,000 148 x 67 mm Green

Rs. 5,000 153 x 67 mm Gold

The following collector items will also be sold to the public at the Central Bank Head Office cash counter, Money Museum at Rajagiriya from February 7, and CBSL Provincial Offices from February 14, 2011.

The selling prices are as follows:

Description Selling Price

Folder containing all six denominations Rs. 7,500.00

Folder containing Rs. 5,000 note Rs. 5,500.00

Folder containing Rs. 1,000 note Rs. 1,250.00

Folder containing Rs. 500 note Rs. 750.00

Folder containing Rs. 100 note Rs. 250.00

Folder containing Rs. 50 note Rs. 200.00

Folder containing Rs. 20 note Rs. 150.00

Uncut currency sheet of Rs. 100 with 40 notes Rs. 7,000.00

CD containing features of new notes Rs. 400.00