Sri Lanka’s New Rs. 2,000 Banknote Celebrates Central Bank’s 75th Anniversary
In 2020, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka had plans to issue a new Rs. 2,000 note and a Rs. 20 coin in honor of its 70th anniversary. However, due to the prevailing financial crisis at the time, the initiative was postponed. Fast forward to 2025, the Central Bank has finally introduced the long-awaited Rs. 2,000 currency note, this time to mark its 75th anniversary under the theme “Stability for Prosperity.”
This commemorative note is a symbol of the Central Bank’s continuous efforts to promote economic stability, which is viewed as the bedrock of national development. A total of 50 million notes are planned for release, making this not just a collector’s item but also a functional piece of the country’s currency in circulation.
The design of the new Rs. 2,000 note is both modern and symbolic, combining vibrant hues of blue, purple, and green. The front side of the note features trilingual text in Sinhala, Tamil, and English, the 75th anniversary logo, a silhouette of the Colombo skyline, and illustrations of two iconic buildings: the Central Bank Headquarters and the Colombo Lighthouse Clock Tower. A lion holding a sword—a traditional Sri Lankan symbol—serves as the registration device for the note.
On the reverse side, which is printed vertically, the same trilingual text and anniversary logo are present. It also showcases a stylized map of Sri Lanka, overlaid with an image of a water lily, the country’s national flower. The lion with sword motif is repeated here as well.
In terms of security and printing technology, the note includes a 5-mm wide windowed security thread that shifts color from blue to green and contains demetalized images of the Colombo Clock Tower and the denomination 2000. The watermark consists of the lion with sword, along with an electrotype “2000” and Cornerstones. The note measures 151 x 67 mm and is printed on paper by the international currency printer De La Rue.
With its detailed symbolism, cutting-edge security features, and tribute to Sri Lanka’s economic journey, the new Rs. 2,000 note stands as a powerful reminder of the Central Bank’s 75-year legacy and its future aspirations for a stable and prosperous nation.