Central Bank of Sri Lanka

Historical and Issue Context

A half-century commemorative banknote:The Central Bank of Sri Lanka issued this 200-rupee banknote in 1998 to commemorate the 50.º anniversary of the country’s independence (1948–1998).

Printed in Australia:Melbourne-based Note Printing Australia (NPA) printed the note on Guardian® polymer substrate, with a transparent lotus-shaped window and perfect registration between both sides.

Key Details Visible on the Banknote

• Obverse:the Independence Memorial Hall in Colombo's Independence Square, along with vignettes of the country's progress in the previous 50 years —national unity, free education and health, the Mahaweli Development Project, the Bandaranaike International Airport and the Port of Colombo.
• Reverse:an extensive historical panel with scenes from Sri Lanka —the arrival of Prince Vijaya, the introduction of Buddhism by Arahat Mahinda, the unification of the island by King Dutugemunu, the construction of the Sigiriya rock fortress, the Sea of Parakrama reservoir, European colonization, and Wariyapola Sri Sumangala Thero lowering the British flag in 1815.
• Transparent window:stylized lotus-flower-shaped window in the upper-right corner of the obverse.
• Translucent shadow image:artistic depiction of Sri Lanka's heraldic lion carrying a sword, embedded in the polymer and visible when held to the light.
• Perfect registration:symmetrical lotus-flower rosette on the right side of the obverse that aligns perfectly with the reverse printing pattern.
• UV fluorescence:The serial number array exhibits a distinctive luminescent response under ultraviolet light.
• Color:blue, gray and purple tones in the multicolor subprint.