Wanderlust World Wanderlust World The Central Bank of Sri Lanka currently issues coins in six denominations, each with distinct compositions and designs reflecting the island's heritage. Here's what's in your pocket (or purse) if you're handling Sri Lankan rupees today:
| Denomination | Composition |
|---|---|
| 1 cent | Copper-plated steel |
| 2 cents | Nickel-plated steel |
| 5 cents | Nickel/brass or nickel-plated steel |
| 10 cents | Steel, nickel/brass-plated steel, or copper-nickel-clad steel |
| 20 cents | Copper-nickel-clad steel |
| 50 cents | Copper-nickel-clad steel |
Coins below 1 cent have been phased out due to inflation. The 1-rupee, 2-rupee, 5-rupee, and 10-rupee denominations exist as banknotes (and occasionally as commemorative coins), not regular circulation coins.
Obverse sides typically feature the national emblem (a lion holding a sword, surrounded by lotus petals and grains), while reverses showcase native flora, fauna, or cultural motifs—think Nelumbo nucifera (sacred lotus), traditional drums, or endemic birds.
Next time you're in Colombo or Kandy, flip a coin over—you're holding a tiny ambassador of Sri Lanka's biodiversity and history.