Guide to Detecting Counterfeit Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) Notes

How to Identify Counterfeit LKR (රු) Currency Notes

Are you preparing to travel to Sri Lanka? While making the arrangements for your beach stays in Bentota and getting souvenirs in Kandy, the last thing you want is to have some fake currency. Unfortunately, fake Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR) do exist, and are more prevalent in touristy areas or when exchanging currency at unreliable places. This guide helps you understand the security features of genuine Sri Lankan Rupee notes so you can easily spot a fake note.

Key Security Features of Sri Lankan Rupee Notes

The currently circulating series of banknotes is the 11th series, themed "Development, Prosperity and Sri Lanka Dancers,". This series consists of රු 20, රු 50, රු 100, රු 500, රු 1000, and රු 5000 denominations. The following security features are designed to be easily verifiable by the travelers:

Watermark:

Each denomination features a different native Sri Lankan bird as the main watermark. This bird is the same as the one depicted on the respective note. Additionally, the denominational value in numerals appears vertically as a highlighted watermark.

Security Thread:

The type of security thread varies with the denomination. For lower denominations (රු 20, රු 50, රු 100), it's typically an embedded (hidden) thread with "CBSL" and the denomination printed on it. For higher denominations (රු 500, රු 1000, රු 5000), a wider "Starchrome" windowed thread is used. This thread changes color (e.g., red to green) when the note is tilted and also shows "CBSL" and the denomination.

Cornerstone Watermark:

The Cornerstone watermark is present on all denominations in the 11th series. Instead of just random bars, imagine each of the four corners of the banknote (when viewed from the front) having a specific, pre-defined pattern of diagonal lines or stripes integrated into the paper itself. The key is that these are not printed lines; they are part of the paper's varying thickness, just like the main watermark (the bird).

See-Through Feature (Perfect Registration):

The numeral value of the note is printed on the front and back. When the note is held up to the light, the part of the numeral on the front should perfectly align with the part on the back, forming a complete numeral.

Microprint (Extra Small Text):

When viewed closely, you can see very small text, usually "CBSL" and the numeral value of the denomination. This is often located near specific design elements, like the butterfly motif on the notes.

Raised Print (Intaglio Printing):

Certain areas of the banknote, such as the Central Bank of Sri Lanka title, the main images (portraits, heritage sites), the denomination numerals, and the blind recognition feature, are printed with a raised ink.

Blind Recognition Feature:

A series of raised dots is printed on the left side of the note to help visually impaired individuals identify the denomination. The number of dots increases with the denomination (e.g., one dot for රු 20, two for රු 50, and so on).

A Detailed Guide to Identifying Counterfeit LKR Currency by Denomination

Denomination	Predominant Colour	Watermark	Security Thread	See-Through Feature	Raised Print	Blind Recognition Dots
රු 20	Maroon	Serendib Scops Owl + "20"	Embedded; "CBSL" & "රු 20" visible in light	Numeral "20" aligns perfectly	Bank title, owl, Port of Colombo, large "20", dots	1 dot
රු 50	Blue	Dull Blue Flycatcher + "50"	Embedded; "CBSL" & "රු 50"	Numeral "50" aligns perfectly	Bank title, bridges, bird, large "50", dots	2 dots
රු 100	Orange	Orange Billed Babbler + "100"	Embedded; "CBSL" & "රු 100"	Numeral "100" aligns perfectly	Bank title, power plant, bird, large "100", dots	3 dots
රු 500	Purple	Emerald Collared Parakeet + "500"	Windowed Starchrome; "CBSL" & "රු 500", red-green shift	Numeral "500" aligns perfectly	Bank title, buildings, bird, large "500", dots	4 dots
රු 1000	Green	Hanging Parrot + "1000"	Windowed Starchrome; "CBSL" & "රු 1000", red-green shift	Numeral "1000" aligns perfectly	Bank title, tunnel, bird, large "1000", dots	5 dots
රු 5000	Gold/Yellow	Yellow Eared Bulbul + "5000"	Windowed Starchrome; "CBSL" & "රු 5000", red-green shift	Numeral "5000" aligns perfectly	Bank title, dams, bird, large "5000", dots	6 dots

1. රු 20 Banknote

Predominant Colour: Maroon
Front Theme: Recent and old view of the Port of Colombo; Sri Lanka Serendib Scops Owl (Otus thilohoffmanni); Baronet butterfly (Symphaedra nais).
Back Theme: Ves Netuma dancer and Geta Bera drummer; Punkalasa guard stone; Liya Vela (stylized floral motif).
Watermark: Sri Lanka Serendib Scops Owl (same as the main bird image on the note). The numeral "20" appears vertically as a highlighted watermark.
Security Thread: It is embedded and appears as a solid line when held to light along with visible text: "CBSL" and "රු 20".
Cornerstone Watermark: The diagonal bars are visible in all four corners when held to light.
See-Through Feature: The numeral "20" (part on the front, part on the back, typically near the butterfly) aligns perfectly when the note is held to light.
Microprint: Tiny text "CBSL" and "20" can be found, usually in the area below/around the butterfly motif. A magnifying glass may be needed to see it clearly.
Raised Print: Feel for raised ink on the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the main image of the Port of Colombo, the Sri Lanka Serendib Scops Owl, the large numeral "20", and the blind recognition dots.
Blind Recognition Feature: There is one raised dot on the left side.

2. රු 50 Banknote

Predominant Colour: Blue
Front Theme: This note depicts the Manampitiya new and old bridges alongside the Demodara nine arch railway bridge, the Sri Lanka Dull Blue Flycatcher (Eumyias sordidus), and the Blue Oakleaf butterfly (Kallima philarchus).
Back Theme: The back showcases a Vadiga Patuna dancer and a Yak Bera drummer, a Punkalasa guard stone, and a Liya Vela.
Watermark: The watermark features an image of the Sri Lanka Dull Blue Flycatcher. The numeral "50" also appears vertically as a highlighted watermark.
Security Thread: This note contains an embedded security thread. The text "CBSL" and "රු 50" are visible on the thread when viewed against light.
Cornerstone Watermark: Diagonal bars constituting the Cornerstone watermark are present in all four corners of this banknote.
See-Through Register: The see-through feature ensures that the numeral "50", with parts printed on both front and back, aligns perfectly when the note is held to light.
Microprint: Microprinted text reading "CBSL" and "50" is included on this note.
Raised Print: You can feel raised ink on the bank title, the main images of the bridges, the Sri Lanka Dull Blue Flycatcher illustration, the large numeral "50", and the blind recognition dots.
Blind Recognition Feature: This denomination has two raised dots on its left side for tactile identification.

3. රු 100 Banknote

Predominant Colour: Orange
Front Theme: The front displays the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant and the Laxapana Waterfall, the Sri Lanka Orange Billed Babbler (Turdoides rufescens), and the Autumn Leaf butterfly (Doleschallia bisaltide).
Back Theme: The back features a Bharatanatyam dancer and a Mridangam drummer, a Naga guard stone, and a Dvithva Liya Vela (double floral motif).
Watermark: The watermark shows an image of the Sri Lanka Orange Billed Babbler. The numeral "100" appears vertically as a highlighted watermark.
Security Thread: An embedded security thread is part of this banknote. "CBSL" and "රු 100" are printed on the thread and are visible when held to light.
Cornerstone Watermark: This note includes the Cornerstone watermark, with diagonal bars visible in all four corners when held to light.
See-Through Feature: The numeral "100" forms perfectly when its parts on the front and back are aligned by holding the note to light.
Microprint: Microprint consisting of "CBSL" and "100" is present on the note.
Raised Print: Raised ink can be felt on the bank title, the main images of the power plant and waterfall, the Sri Lanka Orange Billed Babbler, the large numeral "100", and the blind recognition dots.
Blind Recognition Feature: There are three raised dots on the left side of this note for tactile recognition.

4. රු 500 Banknote

Predominant Colour: Purple
Front Theme: This note shows the World Trade Centre and Bank of Ceylon Headquarters in Colombo, the ancient Buddhist temple Lankathilaka Viharaya in Kandy, the Sri Lanka Emerald Collared Parakeet (Layard's Parakeet - Psittacula calthropae), and the Ceylon Indigo Royal butterfly (Tajuria ceylonica).
Back Theme: The back depicts a Thelme Netuma dancer and a Yak Bera drummer, a Padmanidhi guard stone, and a Dvithva Liya Vela.
Watermark: The watermark displays an image of the Sri Lanka Emerald Collared Parakeet. The numeral "500" also appears vertically as a highlighted watermark.
Security Thread: This denomination features a windowed Starchrome security thread. The text "CBSL" and "රු 500" are visible on the thread. Furthermore, this security thread exhibits a color shift from red to green when the note is tilted.
Cornerstone Watermark: The Cornerstone watermark feature, showing diagonal bars, is present in all four corners of the note.
See-Through Feature: When held to light, the parts of the numeral "500" on the front and back align perfectly to complete the number.
Microprint: Microprinted text "CBSL" and "500" is included on this banknote.
Raised Print: Raised ink is present on the bank title, the main images of the buildings and temple, the Sri Lanka Emerald Collared Parakeet, the large numeral "500", and the blind recognition dots.
Blind Recognition Feature: This note is identifiable by four raised dots located on its left side.

5. රු 1000 Banknote

Predominant Colour: Green
Front Theme: The front features the New Ramboda Tunnel along with the rock wall at the same location, the Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot (Loriculus beryllinus), and the White Four Ring butterfly (Ypthima ceylonica).
Back Theme: The back illustrates a Malpadaya Netuma dancer and a Davul Bera drummer, a guard stone with guardian deities, and a Dvithva Liya Vela.
Watermark: The watermark contains an image of the Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot. The numeral "1000" appears vertically as a highlighted watermark.
Security Thread: This note uses a windowed Starchrome security thread. "CBSL" and "රු 1000" are visible on the thread. The thread also changes colour from red to green when the banknote is tilted.
Cornerstone Watermark: Diagonal bars of the Cornerstone watermark are visible in all four corners when the note is held to light.
See-Through Feature: The see-through feature ensures that the numeral "1000" is formed perfectly by aligning parts on the front and back of the note when held against light.
Microprint: This banknote includes microprint with the text "CBSL" and "1000".
Raised Print: Raised ink provides a tactile sensation on the bank title, the main images of the tunnel, the Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, the large numeral "1000", and the blind recognition dots.
Blind Recognition Feature: For tactile identification, five raised dots are present on the left side of this note.

6. රු 5000 Banknote

Predominant Colour: Gold/Yellow
Front Theme: This banknote depicts the Weheragala Dam and the Canyon Dam (representing Hydro Power), the Sri Lanka Yellow Eared Bulbul (Pycnonotus penicillatus), and the Lemon Migrant butterfly (Catopsilia pomona).
Back Theme: The back features a Nagaraksha dancer and a Guruluraksha dancer, a Rathnaprasada guard stone, and a Kalpavruksha (wish-conferring tree motif).
Watermark: The watermark shows an image of the Sri Lanka Yellow Eared Bulbul. The numeral "5000" appears vertically as a highlighted watermark feature.
Security Thread: A windowed Starchrome security thread is incorporated into this banknote. The text "CBSL" and "රු 5000" are visible along the thread. Additionally, the thread exhibits a colour shift from red to green when the note is tilted.
Cornerstone Watermark: The Cornerstone watermark, consisting of diagonal bars, is present in all four corners of the banknote.
See-Through Feature: The numeral "5000" printed partially on the front and back aligns perfectly to form the complete number when the note is held up to the light.
Microprint: Microprinted text "CBSL" and "5000" is featured on this note.
Raised Print: A distinct raised texture can be felt on the bank title, the main images of the dams, the Sri Lanka Yellow Eared Bulbul, the large numeral "5000", and the blind recognition dots.
Blind Recognition Feature: This note has six raised dots on its left side to aid visually impaired individuals in identifying the denomination.

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