Sri Lanka central bank asks for currency note designs

Feb 25, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka's central bank has called for public ideas to produce a new series of notes offering cash prizes for winning designs. The monetary authority has so far produced notes under 10 different themes from the time it was created soon after Sri Lanka gained independence from Britain.

The first series of notes at time when the then Ceylon was still a dominion in 1951, was issued with the picture of King George the sixth.

Queen Elizabeth II followed in 1952. A 1956 series was based on the armorial ensign of Ceylon, and in 1962 a portrait of SWRD Bandaranaike was issued.

In 1965 a series with King Parakramabahu was issued. In 1975 another series with the armorial ensign which changed after Sri Lanka became a republic, was circulated.

In 1979 a series themed on the flora and fauna was produced, in 1981 a historical and archeological series and in 1987 a historical and development series was produced.

The current series started in 1991 uses the theme of Sri Lanka's heritage.

The Central Bank said by public advertisement that designs were sought for 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 2000 denominated notes.