50 Sri Lankan Rupees Banknote (Kandyan Dancer)

50 Rupees Rupee (Issued 1991–1994)

Sri Lanka’s civil conflict, which intensified sharply during the early 1990s, shaped the economic and political climate in which the Central Bank of Sri Lanka issued this series of fifty-rupee banknotes. Currency production during this period reflected the institution’s effort to maintain monetary stability and public confidence whilst the country faced considerable internal strife. The 1991–1994 issue retained established design conventions rooted in Sri Lankan cultural heritage, presenting imagery drawn from the island’s ancient civilisation and artistic traditions. These notes circulated widely before eventually being withdrawn from legal tender status.

On the front, the dominant feature is a richly detailed portrait of a traditionally costumed Kandyan dancer positioned to the right of centre, rendered in warm orange and brown tones with fine intaglio engraving that captures the elaborate headdress, layered jewellery, and ceremonial ornamental dress characteristic of this classical Sri Lankan art form. The figure faces to the left, and the engraving conveys considerable depth and texture in the costume detail. To the left of the portrait, a smaller vignette depicts a standing classical stone figure, rendered in blue-grey tones, representing Sri Lanka’s sculptural heritage. Beneath this vignette sits a decorative circular guilloché rosette in blue and orange, surrounded by fine line patterns. The upper portion of the note carries the issuing authority name “Central Bank of Sri Lanka” printed in English, flanked by text in Sinhala script above and Tamil script below, all set against a pale background with fine multicoloured security printing. The serial number K/1 865689 appears twice — once in the upper left region and once in the lower right — printed in red. The denomination numeral “50” is printed prominently in the upper left and lower right corners in deep blue. The words “FIFTY RUPEES” appear vertically along the left margin in English, with corresponding text in Sinhala and Tamil script also present on the face of the note. Two facsimile signatures appear across the lower central area, representing the Governor and the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance. The date 1991-01-01 is printed in the lower central area. A vertical security thread is embedded within the paper and is partially visible as a dark stripe running through the note. The overall colour palette blends pale blue, orange, and white, with fine geometric border patterns framing all four edges in blue and orange.

The reverse presents a striking panoramic composition in blue and green tones, dominated by a landscape scene depicting two prominent ancient religious monuments set against a gently shaded sky. To the left, a large dagoba or stupa rises above a green hill, identifiable as one of the great ancient stupas of Anuradhapura, the sacred ancient capital of Sri Lanka. To the right, a second white dagoba with a surrounding wall and entrance structure is clearly visible, representing another architectural landmark from the same sacred city. In the foreground, a large and intricately engraved decorative makara — a mythological sea creature rendered in detailed blue intaglio — curves dramatically across the lower centre of the note, its scaled body and stylised head forming a bold compositional element. The upper portion of the reverse carries the bank’s name in Sinhala script, Tamil script, and the English text “CENTRAL BANK OF SRI LANKA” on a pale guilloché background with fine repeated patterning. In the upper corners, decorative botanical and butterfly motifs appear — a stylised leaf or bodhi tree branch to the upper left and a yellow butterfly to the upper right — both rendered in soft green and yellow against a light background. The denomination “50” is printed in bold blue numerals in the lower right corner, with “FIFTY RUPEES” and corresponding Sinhala and Tamil text appearing along the lower edge. The printer’s name is noted in very small text along the bottom margin. The border consists of interlocking geometric and guilloché patterns in blue, consistent with the front design language.

Wondering who buys foreign coins and notes? Webuyallcurrency.com does — a 50 Rupees banknote like this is accepted alongside other old or withdrawn Sri Lankan Rupees banknotes, so you can exchange the lot for cash at once.

• Indicate the quantity of 50 Rupees Rupee banknotes you want to exchange
• Click the ‘Add to your account’ button
• Your online account now shows the exchange value

If you have leftover currency to exchange, Webuyallcurrency.com accepts Sri Lankan Rupees banknotes and a wide range of other foreign coins and notes, paying out for the lot in a single straightforward transaction.

Other Sri Lankan Rupees you can exchange: 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 100, 200.