US Dollar
Euro
British Pound
UAE Dirham
Australian Dollar
Singapore DollarThe currency of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
CurrencyLKR
The currency of Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan rupee (LKR), divided into 100 cents and issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Its rate has moved with the market since 7 March 2022: one Sri Lankan rupee costs ₹0.4112 at our selling rate right now.
- Code
- LKR
- Symbol
- Rsරු
- Subunit
- 100 cents
- In use since
- 1869
What is the currency of Sri Lanka?
The currency of Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan rupee, code LKR, written Rs, or රු in Sinhala. One rupee is divided into 100 cents, and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka issues the money. The island's rupee began as India's: the Indian rupee was made legal tender in Ceylon in 1869. Since 7 March 2022 its rate has moved with the market, so against the Indian rupee its price changes: on 5 Oct 2026, one Sri Lankan rupee was worth about ₹0.4112 at our selling rate and ₹0.4112 at our selling rate. A quote in LKR always means this rupee and not the Indian rupee (INR), which is a separate currency at a different value.
Sri Lankan Rupee at a glance
- Currency
- Sri Lankan rupeeIn Sinhala රුපියල්, in Tamil ரூபாய்
- Code
- LKRNumeric code 144
- Symbol
- Rsරු in Sinhala; the Central Bank writes Rs. 5000
- Subunit
- 1 rupee = 100 centsThe Central Bank writes cents as Cts., as in Cts. 50
- Issuer
- Central Bank of Sri LankaIt followed the Central Bank of Ceylon, which opened in 1950
- Introduced
- 1869As the Indian rupee, made legal tender in Ceylon that year
- Exchange rate
- FlexibleMoves with the market since 7 March 2022; the Central Bank may step in
- Used in
- Sri Lanka
- Banknotes
- Rs 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000 and 5,000The 11th series; the Rs 10, 200 and 2,000 are also legal tender
- Coins
- Rs 1, 2, 5 and 10The 2017 series; cent coins of 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 are also listed
Sri Lanka currency notes and coins
Sri Lanka money comes as six banknotes in the current series and rupee coins from Rs 1 to Rs 10. The 11th series is themed Development, Prosperity and Sri Lankan Dancers: the fronts show infrastructure with one bird and one butterfly each, and the backs show dancers, drummers, guard-stones and floral motifs. Each note is shown with what it costs in rupees at our selling rate today.
- Central Bank of Sri LankaTwenty rupeesRs20
Twenty rupees Rs 20
≈ ₹8.22 today- Colour
- Maroon
- Front
- The Port of Colombo, old and new, with a Serendib Scops Owl and a Baronet butterfly
- Back
- A Ves Netuma dancer with a Geta Bera drummer, a Punkalasa and a Liya Vela motif
- Central Bank of Sri LankaFifty rupeesRs50
Fifty rupees Rs 50
≈ ₹20.56 today- Colour
- Blue
- Front
- The Manampitiya bridges and an old rail arch, with a Dull-blue Flycatcher and a Blue Oakleaf butterfly
- Back
- A Vadiga Patuna dancer with a Yak Bera drummer, a Punkalasa guard-stone and a Liya Vela motif
- Central Bank of Sri LankaOne hundred rupeesRs100
One hundred rupees Rs 100
≈ ₹41.12 today- Colour
- Orange
- Front
- The Norochcholai coal power plant and the Laxapana waterfall with hydro cables, an Orange-billed Babbler and an Autumn Leaf butterfly
- Back
- A Mridangam drummer and a Bharatanatyam dancer, with a Naga guard-stone and a double Liya Vela motif
- Central Bank of Sri LankaFive hundred rupeesRs500
Five hundred rupees Rs 500
≈ ₹205.60 today- Colour
- Purple
- Front
- The World Trade Center and Bank of Ceylon in Colombo, Lankathilake Viharaya, an Emerald-collared Parakeet and a Ceylon Indigo Royal butterfly
- Back
- A Thelme Netuma dancer with a Yak Bera drummer, a Padmanidhi guard-stone and a double Liya Vela motif
- Central Bank of Sri LankaOne thousand rupeesRs1000
One thousand rupees Rs 1,000
≈ ₹411.20 today- Colour
- Green
- Front
- The Ramboda tunnel and an old rock wall, with a Hanging Parrot and a White Four-ring butterfly
- Back
- A Daul Bera drummer and a Malpadaya Netuma dancer, with a guard-stone of guardian deities and a double Liya Vela motif
- Central Bank of Sri LankaFive thousand rupeesRs5000
Five thousand rupees Rs 5,000
≈ ₹2,056.00 today- Colour
- Gold
- Front
- The Weheragala and Canyon dams, with a Yellow-eared Bulbul and a Lemon Migrant butterfly
- Back
- Nagaraksha and Guruluraksha dancers, with a Rathnaprasadaya guard-stone and a Kalpavrksha motif
Coins, in cents
The Central Bank lists rupee coins of 1, 2, 5 and 10 from the 2017 series and older cent coins of 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1. The strip shows the rupee coins and the 25 and 50 cent coins.
- 2525 cents
≈ ₹0.10 - 5050 cents
≈ ₹0.21 - 11 rupee
≈ ₹0.41 - 22 rupees
≈ ₹0.82 - 55 rupees
≈ ₹2.06 - 1010 rupees
≈ ₹4.11
Sources: Central Bank of Sri Lanka, current note series; colours as described there. Rupee values at our selling rate, 10:25 AM IST, 5 Oct 2026.
Reserves fell to USD 2.31 billion by February 2022 and inflation reached 15 percent.
About 12 percent weaker than the 201.49 before it, with the market free to set the rate from that day.
With no band to hold it, the price follows the market.
The rupee that broke its peg
From October 2021 to March 2022 the Central Bank held the rupee in a narrow band against the US dollar. On 7 March 2022 it let go, and the rate has moved with the market ever since. Here is how it looked, one US dollar at a time.
A narrow band
The Central Bank holds the rupee at 201 to 203 to the US dollar. By February 2022 reserves have fallen to USD 2.31 billion and inflation has reached 15 percent.
The peg ends
The Central Bank allows market flexibility at once and sets a reference rate of 230, against 201.49 before, about 12 percent weaker.
Prices peak
Inflation peaks at around 60 to 70 percent, and the rupee has already passed 350 to the US dollar.
A new Central Bank Act
A new Act sets inflation targeting and bars direct monetary financing. Today the rate is flexible inside that framework, and the Central Bank may still step in.
Sources: Al Jazeera, "As foreign reserves slip, Sri Lanka to devalue currency", 8 March 2022; Bank for International Settlements, central bankers' speeches, 2025; Wikipedia, "Sri Lankan rupee".
A rupee that moves with the market
Sri Lanka stopped holding its rate against the US dollar on 7 March 2022. The price moves with the market now, so the price of a Sri Lankan rupee in Indian rupees can change from one day to the next.
No fixed rate since March 2022
On 7 March 2022 the Central Bank allowed market flexibility at once, after holding the rate in a band of 201 to 203 to the US dollar. The rupee price now moves with the market.
Flexible, not a pure float
Sri Lanka runs flexible exchange rates inside flexible inflation targeting, and the Central Bank may intervene, so the rate is not left entirely alone.
A new Central Bank Act
In September 2023 a new Act made inflation targeting the framework and barred direct monetary financing.
One unit in rupees · our selling rate, 5 Oct 2026
The rupee in Sri Lanka since 1869
Sri Lanka has counted in rupees since 1869, and the money has gone from India's rupee to a central bank of its own and a freed rate. What changed along the way, in eight entries.
- EntrySri Lanka
India's rupee arrives
The Indian rupee is made legal tender in Ceylon. The island's rupee began as India's.
Launch - EntrySri Lanka
A board for the currency
The Board of Commissioners of Currency is set up. It issues the notes until 1950.
- EntrySri Lanka
The Central Bank of Ceylon opens
On 28 August the Central Bank of Ceylon opens, established under the Monetary Law Act No. 58 of 1949. It is the bank that became the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
- EntrySri Lanka
A polymer Rs 200 note
The Central Bank issues a polymer Rs 200 note for the 50th anniversary of independence. It still lists it as legal tender.
- EntrySri Lanka
The rate is freed
On 7 March the Central Bank lets the rate flex with the market and sets a reference rate of 230 to the US dollar, against 201.49 before.
Peg ends - EntrySri Lanka
A new Central Bank Act
In September a new Act makes inflation targeting the framework and bars direct monetary financing.
- EntrySri Lanka
UPI reaches Sri Lanka
On 12 February UPI goes live, launched virtually by India's Prime Minister with Sri Lanka's President and Mauritius' Prime Minister. Indian visitors can pay LankaQR merchants from UPI apps.
India link - EntrySri Lanka
A Rs 2,000 note for 75 years
The Central Bank issues a Rs 2,000 commemorative note to mark its 75th anniversary.
New note
Sources: Central Bank of Sri Lanka, history of currency, current note series, currency notes and coins, and commemorative coins and notes pages; Reserve Bank of India, press release on UPI in Sri Lanka and Mauritius; Al Jazeera, 8 March 2022; Bank for International Settlements, central bankers' speeches, 2025; Wikipedia, "Sri Lankan rupee".
Two rupees, side by side
Worked out at our selling rate at 10:25 AM IST on 5 Oct 2026. For the live rate on any amount, use the LKR to INR or INR to LKR converter.
| You pay | You get |
|---|---|
| ₹5,000 | Rs 12,160 |
| ₹10,000 | Rs 24,319 |
| ₹25,000 | Rs 60,798 |
| ₹50,000 | Rs 121,595 |
| ₹1,00,000 | Rs 243,191 |
| ₹2,00,000 | Rs 486,381 |
| You buy | It costs |
|---|---|
| Rs 100 | ₹41.12 |
| Rs 1,000 | ₹411.20 |
| Rs 5,000 | ₹2,056.00 |
| Rs 10,000 | ₹4,112.00 |
| Rs 50,000 | ₹20,560.00 |
| Rs 100,000 | ₹41,120.00 |
Spending rupees in Sri Lanka
Three things about Sri Lanka money that help on the first day.
UPI works at LankaQR shops
Since 12 February 2024 Indian visitors can pay LankaQR merchants from their UPI apps. NPCI International Payments Limited built the link with Sri Lanka's LankaPay.
UPI · LankaQRCards in towns, cash for the rest
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in urban centres and tourist areas. Tuk-tuks, street vendors and small or remote places still want cash, so carry some beside your card.
Rs 1,000 · ₹411.20Service charge and tips
Restaurants often add a 10 percent service charge, so tipping at a meal is optional. Tipping drivers, guides and hotel staff is customary.
10% service chargeTaking Sri Lanka currency from India
The Reserve Bank of India's rules apply to every currency, and the Sri Lankan rupee is no exception.
Up to the equivalent of USD 3,000 per trip can leave India as Sri Lankan rupee notes. The rest goes on a forex card or as a bank transfer.
Every resident can send up to USD 250,000 abroad each financial year under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme, travel included.
Tax collected at source applies once your foreign-exchange purchases in a financial year cross ₹10 lakh: nil when an education loan pays, 2% for self-funded education and medical treatment, and 20% for travel and everything else. It is credited against your income tax when you file.
Sri Lankan rupees are on our booking form. Send your amount and the desk confirms your exact rate before anything is booked.
Book Sri Lankan Rupees→Sri Lanka currency questions
The questions people type about Sri Lanka's currency, answered in full, in three groups.
The basics
8 questionsWhat is the currency of Sri Lanka?
The currency of Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan rupee, code LKR, divided into 100 cents. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka issues the money, and the rate has moved with the market since 7 March 2022.
What is the full form of LKR in currency?
LKR stands for Sri Lankan Rupee: LK is the two-letter code for Sri Lanka and R is for rupee, following the ISO 4217 standard, and its numeric code is 144. That is the LKR full form and the LKR currency full form alike. On a page about money, and in any price list, it means the Sri Lankan rupee.
What is the Sri Lanka currency symbol?
The Sri Lanka currency symbol is Rs, written before the amount, as in Rs 5,000. The Central Bank itself writes Rs. 5000 and Cts. 50, and in Sinhala the sign is රු; ₨ is also listed for English and ௹ for Tamil. To tell it from the Indian rupee (₹), use the code LKR.
Sri Lanka ki currency kya hai?
Sri Lanka ki currency Sri Lankan rupee (LKR) hai, jise log Shrilanka ki currency ya Srilanka currency bhi likhte hain. Ek rupee mein 100 cent hote hain, aur 5 Oct 2026 ko ek Sri Lankan rupee lagbhag ₹0.4112 ka tha, hamare selling rate par. Iska symbol Rs hai, aur Sinhala mein රු.
What is the Sri Lanka currency name?
The Sri Lanka currency name is the Sri Lankan rupee, රුපියල් in Sinhala and ரூபாய் in Tamil. It is also searched as srilanka currency, srilanka currency name, Sri Lanka money or Sri Lankan currency, and all of them mean the same rupee. The word rupee is shared with India and other countries, so the code LKR is what tells Sri Lanka's apart.
How many cents make one rupee in Sri Lanka?
One rupee is 100 cents, and the cent is සත in Sinhala. The Central Bank writes it Cts., as in Cts. 50, and lists cent coins of 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 alongside rupee coins of 1, 2, 5 and 10.
Who issues the money in Sri Lanka?
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka issues it. Before that, the Board of Commissioners of Currency, set up in 1884, issued the notes until 1950, when the Central Bank of Ceylon opened on 28 August under the Monetary Law Act No. 58 of 1949.
Which banknotes are in use in Sri Lanka?
The current series is the 11th, themed Development, Prosperity and Sri Lankan Dancers, with six notes: Rs 20 (maroon), Rs 50 (blue), Rs 100 (orange), Rs 500 (purple), Rs 1,000 (green) and Rs 5,000 (gold). The Central Bank also lists the Rs 10, Rs 200 and Rs 2,000 as legal tender. Coins run from 1 to 10 rupees, with older cent coins still listed.
Value and history
5 questionsIs Sri Lanka's currency fixed or floating?
It is flexible, not fixed. Since 7 March 2022 the Central Bank has allowed market flexibility in the rate, inside flexible inflation targeting, but it may still step in, so it is not a pure float.
What happened to Sri Lanka's currency in 2022?
From October 2021 the Central Bank held the rate in a band of 201 to 203 to the US dollar, while reserves fell to USD 2.31 billion by February 2022. On 7 March 2022 it allowed market flexibility and set a reference rate of 230, about 12 percent weaker than 201.49. Later in 2022 the rupee passed 350 to the US dollar.
When did Sri Lanka start using the rupee?
The rupee began as India's: the Indian rupee was made legal tender in Ceylon in 1869. The Board of Commissioners of Currency followed in 1884, and the Central Bank of Ceylon, today the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, opened on 28 August 1950.
What is printed on Sri Lanka's banknotes?
Each front shows infrastructure with a bird and a butterfly: the Port of Colombo on the Rs 20, the Manampitiya bridges on the Rs 50, and the Weheragala and Canyon dams on the Rs 5,000. The Rs 500 shows the World Trade Center and Bank of Ceylon in Colombo with Lankathilake Viharaya. The backs show dancers, drummers, guard-stones and floral motifs.
Are old Sri Lanka notes still valid?
Some are. Besides the six notes of the current series, the Central Bank lists the Rs 10, the Rs 200 (a polymer note issued in 1998 for the 50th anniversary of independence) and the Rs 2,000 (issued in 2025 for its 75th anniversary) as legal tender. For any other old note, check with a bank in Sri Lanka before relying on it.
Buying from India
4 questionsWhat is the India link to Sri Lanka's currency?
The link starts with the rupee itself, which began as India's: the Indian rupee was made legal tender in Ceylon in 1869. Today it runs through travel and payments, as India was Sri Lanka's biggest source of visitors in 2025 and UPI has worked at LankaQR merchants since 12 February 2024.
Does UPI work in Sri Lanka?
Yes, at LankaQR merchants. UPI went live in Sri Lanka on 12 February 2024, launched virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Sri Lanka's President and Mauritius' Prime Minister, and Indian visitors pay from their UPI apps. NPCI International Payments Limited built it with Sri Lanka's LankaPay.
How much Sri Lanka currency can I take out of India?
Up to the equivalent of USD 3,000 per trip in currency notes. Anything above that goes on a forex card or as a bank transfer, all within the USD 250,000 a year Liberalised Remittance Scheme limit.
How do I get Sri Lanka currency before a trip?
Order it before you fly. Matrix Forex, an RBI-authorised Category-II dealer, has Sri Lankan rupees on its booking form: send your amount through the booking bar at the top of this page and the desk confirms your exact rate before anything is booked. For the live rate on any amount, see the LKR to INR converter.