Commemoratives (1976–Present)
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka releases special commemorative coins and notes to honor people who've made meaningful contributions to society, celebrate important national events, or mark initiatives that have shaped the country's future. These aren't your everyday coins and notes—they're limited edition pieces that tell stories about Sri Lanka's heritage and achievements.
What makes them special? They're produced only once in small quantities, which naturally makes them harder to find than regular currency. Over time, many of these pieces become more valuable than their printed face value, which is why collectors and numismatists actively seek them out.
The practice began back in 1957, and the legal foundation for issuing these special pieces comes from the Monetary Law Act. An important update in 1998 made it possible for the Central Bank to sell commemorative coins made from precious metals like gold and silver at prices reflecting their true worth, not just their face value.
