The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) issued, for circulation, a new series of currency notes on the theme "Development, Prosperity and Sri Lanka Dancers" on 2011 February 4th, dated 2010-01-01.
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Front: Landscape An artist's impression of a recent view of the Port of Colombo and an early view of the Port to upper right. Illustrated are the Sri Lanka bird Serendib Scops Owl to the right, and the butterfly, the Baronet to the lower left.
Back: Portrait |
The security thread is a thin polyester thread embedded in to the note
with the letters CBSL RS20.
The notes carry the facsimile signatures of the
Hon. Minister of Finance, HE President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the
Governor of the Central Bank, Mr. Ajith Nivard Cabraal.
| Predominant Color | : Maroon | | | Size | : 128 x 67 mm |
| Serial Prefix | : W | | | Replacement Prefix | : Z/2 |
| Floresent Fiber | : Yellow | | | Braile | : One Dot |
Port of Colombo
The Port of Colombo is the largest port in Sri Lanka at present. It
serves as a major seaport in Asia due to its unique location in the
Indian Ocean. The port was built in the early 14th century during the
Kotte kingdom and was known as Port of Kolomtota. The Port of Colombo
is administrated by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.
Serendib Scops Owl - Otus thilohoffmanni
Sri Lanka Pandukan Bassa/Panduwan Bassa (Sinhala),
Ilangai Serandib Sevi Aandhai (Tamil)
Serendib Scops Owl is an endemic owl species identified in 2004,
restricted to the low country wet zone of Sri Lanka. This species is
categorized as endangered by the International Union for Conservation
of Nature (IUCN) due to habitat loss and degradation.
The Baronet - Symphaedra nais
Nilgala Samanalaya (Sinhala)
Baronets are magnificently coloured butterflies with an orange upper
side marked with black streaks and white edging on their wings. Their
underside is reddish brown. The species is mostly found in the south
central and south eastern part of the island.
Punkalasa Guard stone
Guardstones (doratupala figures or muragal) are one of
the finest creations of ancient Sinhalese artwork. Guard stone carved
with pot of plenty is an expression of prosperity and it is associated
with the belief of ushering prosperity to the building throughout the
year. The best example of a guard stone with a pot of plenty is seen
at the Abhayagiri archeological complex.
Liya Vela
Liya vela is a commonly used design technique in Sinhala
art. It is a decorative art form using the leaves and flowers of a
creeper.
Ves Netuma
Ves Netuma (Ves Dance), the most popular form of dance in Sri
Lanka, belongs to the classical dance known as Kandyan Dancing. It is
believed that the Kandyan Dance originated in the 4th century BCE with
the ritual known as the Kohomba Kankariya, which Is performed to
propitiate the deity known as Kohomba to obtain relief from
various sicknesses, pestllences and to ensure health and prosperity
throughout the year. The elaborate costume comprises of its glorious
head dress which is considered sacred, a skirt like trilled cloth,
decorated chest plates and bangles for arms and ankles. The Ves
Netuma originally confined to the ritual of the Kohomba
Kankariya, now forms a part of the repertoire of Kandyan Dancing
and is performed on stage and in the Kandy Perehera independent of its
ritual significance. The main drum used for this form of dance is the
Geta Beraya
Geta Beraya
Geta Beraya (Kandyan Drum) is the main drum used n Kandyan
Dancing tradition, The drum tapers from the centre towards the ends.
Text edited from Press Releases of the CBSL. Images as in full page colour advertisements published in local newspapers.