What Currency Does Sri Lanka Use?
Sri Lanka uses the Sri Lankan rupee, abbreviated LKR and commonly written as Rs.
SHORT ANSWER
Sri Lanka uses the Sri Lankan rupee, abbreviated LKR and commonly written as Rs.
THE BASICS
Sri Lankan rupee (LKR)
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka issues the country’s notes and coins. Prices are normally quoted in rupees, often written as Rs.
FOREIGN CURRENCY
Use rupees for everyday spending
Foreign visitors may see hotels or travel services quote prices in USD or EUR, but ordinary domestic spending is in Sri Lankan rupees. The Central Bank states that transactions between residents are to be made in rupees unless specifically authorised.
EXCHANGE RATES
Check the Central Bank rate as a reference
The Central Bank publishes indicative exchange rates for major currencies. Your bank, ATM or exchange counter will use its own retail rate and may add fees.
SOURCES
Where we checked this
FAQ
Quick questions
What is the currency code for Sri Lanka?
LKR.
Are prices written as Rs?
Very often, yes. Rs is a common way to display Sri Lankan rupee prices.
Should I carry USD instead?
Carry local rupees for normal daily spending. Foreign currency can be useful as a backup, but it is not the everyday payment currency.