LKRSri Lankan RupeeSri Lankan Rupee (LKR)
The Sri Lankan rupee is Sri Lanka's national currency and an Indian Ocean monetary unit used across trade, tourism and domestic services.
- ISO code
- LKR
- Symbol
- Rs
- Region
- Asia Pacific
- Currency type
- Fiat currency
- Exchange system
- The Central Bank of Sri Lanka administers monetary policy and has managed the issue of national currency since the central bank was established in 1950.
- Last reviewed
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Quick facts
LKR at a glance
Currency profile
How LKR works
The Sri Lankan rupee is Sri Lanka's national currency and an Indian Ocean monetary unit used across trade, tourism and domestic services.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka administers monetary policy and has managed the issue of national currency since the central bank was established in 1950.
- LKR is divided into 100 cents and shares the rupee name with several separate South Asian currencies.
- Sri Lanka's currency history includes colonial coin systems, currency-board notes and successive central-bank note families.
Context
Why this currency matters
LKR provides continuity across Sri Lanka's long monetary history while identifying the modern sovereign rupee administered by its central bank. The code is particularly important because the word rupee alone cannot distinguish Sri Lankan amounts from Indian, Pakistani, Nepalese or other rupee currencies.
Monetary framework
Exchange arrangement
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka administers monetary policy and has managed the issue of national currency since the central bank was established in 1950.
CurrencyHub shows daily reference rates. Banks, card networks, ATMs and transfer providers may apply different exchange rates, fees or spreads.
History timeline
Key dates for LKR
Central Bank of Ceylon established
The new central bank assumed responsibility for currency issue from the earlier Board of Commissioners of Currency.
Central Bank of Sri Lanka - history of currencyFirst national coin series introduced
The central bank issued the first coin series carrying the national emblem for post-independence circulation.
Central Bank of Sri Lanka - history of currencySri Lanka identity adopted
Currency issues moved from Ceylon naming to the Sri Lanka national identity after the constitutional change.
Central Bank of Sri Lanka - history of currency
Usage and economy
How LKR is used
- Prices, salaries, taxes and payments throughout Sri Lanka.
- Indian Ocean trade and travel comparisons involving INR, BDT, MVR and SGD.
Country currency guides
Banknotes and coins
LKR currency units
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka documents the banknote series issued since 1950.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka publishes the denominations and history of national circulation coins.
One Sri Lankan Rupee unit is recorded with 2 decimal places and uses Cent as its minor unit.
Related currencies
Currency relationships
Explore currencies connected through regional use, trade comparisons or monetary relationships.
FAQ
LKR questions
How is LKR different from other rupee currencies?
LKR is issued for Sri Lanka under its own central bank and is not interchangeable with INR, PKR or any other rupee.
Who manages Sri Lankan currency?
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka administers the national currency issue and publishes information on rupee notes and coins.
Why is 1950 important in Sri Lankan currency history?
The Central Bank of Ceylon was established in 1950 and took over currency-issue responsibilities from the former currency board.
Sources
Data and editorial review
Rate source: Frankfurter
Last reviewed:
Currency identity and cash information is checked against central-bank, government, ISO and official international sources.