Central Bank of Ceylon
English to Sinhala Transition: 1956 Essay

After winning the 1956 Parliamentary Elections S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike was sworn as the new Prime Minster on 1956 April 12th. A Banknote Essay drawn a week later on the 19th prepared for the change over to replace English with Sinhala. The Official Language Act No. 33 of 1956, was passed only in June and certified on 1956 July 7th. New notes were issued dated 1956-7-30 with the Ceylon Armorial Ensign replacing the notes with the portrait of the Queen.

1954 Issue: English with only Value in Sinhala and Tamil 1954 Issue: English with only Value in Sinhala and Tamil
Essay: Text in English and Sinhala switched. Sinhala Crudely drawn by Hand. Essay: Text in English and Tamil switched. Tamil Printed
1956 Issue: Text in English and Sinhala switched. 1956 Issue: Text in English and Sinhala switched.

1954 Issue: English with only Value in Sinhala and Tamil 1954 Issue: English with only Value in Sinhala and Tamil
Essay: Text in English and Sinhala switched. Sinhala Crudely drawn by Hand. Essay: Text in English and Tamil switched. Tamil Printed
1956 Issue Text: in English and Sinhala switched. 1956 Issue Text: in English and Sinhala switched.

See more Ceylon Essays from 1928 to 1978 which is Part of notes.lakdiva.org.lk a website for Banknotes of Ceylon and Sri Lanka since 1785.