Currency in Sri Lanka - A Full Guide 2025

Planning a trip to Sri Lanka? Whether you’re heading there for work or pleasure, you’ll need to know how to pay your way as you travel.

This guide covers all you’ll need to know about the official currency in Sri Lanka, where to get it and how to keep your costs down during your trip.

What is the currency in Sri Lanka?

The official currency in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee, which is issued and overseen by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. If you’re buying your travel money online you may also see the official code being shown - LKR. In stores and restaurants, Sri Lankan Rupee prices are likely to use the currency symbol Rs.

Once you’re in Sri Lanka you’ll see costs of items shown in LKR and you’ll need to start paying for things in local coins and notes which are often found in the following denominations:

banknotes - 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and coins - 1, 2, 5, 10.

How to pay in Sri Lanka

You’ll be able to choose between a mixture of modern and traditional payment methods in Sri Lanka. However, generally having a few different payment methods is a good plan. That means that if a merchant won't accept one, you’ve got a back up. It’s also reassuring to know you have a different way to pay if you were unlucky enough to have a card or some travel cash stolen. Here are your key payment options in Sri Lanka.

1. Debit or credit card

You’ll need to have LKR to spend in Sri Lanka - however, you don’t necessarily need to carry cash. Card payments can be more convenient and are accepted in many shops, restaurants and hotels.

If you’re using a card for payments in Sri Lanka do remember to check for any extra fees which may apply when you spend in foreign currencies. Foreign transaction and cash advance fees may push up your costs, and can often be avoided by choosing a prepaid travel card which supports multi-currency holding from a provider like Wise or Revolut.

2. LKR cash

Cards are widely accepted in Sri Lanka but it's still worth having some cash with you at all times. Some merchants will prefer cash, but having a card for higher value payments and in busier more tourist places is also convenient. Cash is often easier for tipping and making smaller purchases, plus you’ve got a nice backup if your card is ever out of action for some reason.

You may want to exchange money to LKR before you leave, but it’s also usually convenient to make ATM withdrawals locally once you arrive in Sri Lanka. Consider using a travel card from a provider like Wise or Revolut for spending, and to get cash at an ATM when you need it for flexibility.

3. Mobile Payments

Using a wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay is super convenient and allows you to tap and pay in stores and anywhere contactless payments are accepted. You won’t even need to have your physical card with you - although it’s a good plan to have your card just in case you ever need to make a Chip and PIN transaction when you travel.

If you’re going to use a mobile wallet for payments in Sri Lanka make sure you’ve linked your preferred payment cards, and check for any fees which may apply. While it’s normally free to use the wallet itself, the underlying card may still impose costs such as foreign transaction fees when you spend in LKR.

4. Bank Transfers

Bank transfers are normally used for larger purchases, and to make ongoing payments like rent or utilities. This payment method may be relevant to you if you’re planning to stay in Sri Lanka for a longer time, for work or study for example. You may also want to use a bank transfer for a tourist trip if you will pay for your hotel in advance.

Bank transfers have the advantage of being secure and easy to set up through your mobile or online banking network. However, bear in mind that some banks and money transfer services will add fees when you send a payment, which can include a charge added to the exchange rate when you convert your money to LKR.

5. Use a prepaid travel card on your next trip to Sri Lanka

Using a travel debit card in Sri Lanka is usually cheap, safe and convenient. A few providers in [local-country] offer multi-currency cards which come with a linked payment account that lets you convert, hold and spend in LKR. That allows you to add a balance in [local-currency] and switch over to LKR to lock in the exchange rate and set your travel budget.

Once you have LKR in your account there are no extra fees to make payments, and you’ll not have foreign transaction charges to worry about, either.

Here’s a quick overview of a couple of handy travel debit cards you may want to order and use in Sri Lanka.

What money is used in Colombo

The currency in Colombo is LKR. You’ll need to have ways to spend in LKR during your visit, which can mean carrying some cash, getting a prepaid travel card before you leave home, or using your credit card. Whichever payment method you decide to use, make sure you weigh up the costs involved, which can include exchange rate markups if you’re converting cash, and foreign transaction fees if you use your debit or credit card while on your visit to Colombo.

What is the currency exchange rate for £ 1 AUD/LKR?

It’s helpful to get to know the live AUD/LKR rate so you can easily calculate how much things are costing you while you’re on your trip abroad.

The rate you need to focus on is the mid market rate, which is the one banks and major currency services get when buying and selling currencies. This rate isn’t always passed on to customers. Instead you may find that the AUD/LKR rate you get when exchanging travel cash includes a markup - an extra fee.

Find the AUD/LKR mid-market rate from a currency conversion site or a website like this, so you can keep an eye on the market and compare the rates you’re offered as you travel against the mid-market rate easily.

Should I exchange AUD to LKR before traveling to Sri Lanka?

It’s a good idea to exchange Australian Dollars to Sri Lankan Rupee before you head off to Sri Lanka, as you can often find a better exchange rate and lower overall costs before you travel.

When you’re in Sri Lanka you may need LKR in cash for some of your spending - particularly when tipping or making smaller value purchases. Buying your LKR travel money in advance can get you better AUD/LKR exchange rates, and saves you wasting precious time shopping around for a good deal once you arrive in Sri Lanka.

Get familiar with the exchange rates offered locally to you, and online, so you can decide whether it’s worth switching some funds in advance of travel, using a card to pay while you’re away, or converting cash on arrival. Both in Australia and in Sri Lanka, steer clear of exchanging currency at the airport. A captive market means that AUD/LKR rates are often worse in the airport than in city centers.

Tips for exchanging money in Sri Lanka

At merchants and ATMs, make sure you’re charged in LKR. If you’re asked if you’d rather pay in AUD instead, say no. That’s a sign of dynamic currency conversion, which usually means extra costs. Withdrawing money in target-currency can be easy, particularly in big cities and Colombo, here’s a few other tips if you want to exchange money in Sri Lanka

1. Avoid using exchange providers at airports or hotels in Sri Lanka as they usually offer pretty poor exchange rates because they have a captive market and little competition nearby
2. Use a travel debit card like the Wise card while you’re in Sri Lanka for fast and cheap conversion between currencies and easy ways to manage your money from your phone

Is it better to exchange currency in Australia or Sri Lanka?

Whether it's better to exchange currency in Australia or Sri Lanka really depends on the exchange rates and fees you can find in local exchange stores, online or with your preferred payment cards. Converting cash before you leave is reassuring but does mean getting organised in advance, while waiting until you arrive in Sri Lanka means using up precious time on your trip finding an exchange office.

If you don’t want to worry about converting your cash, you can also use a prepaid travel card to spend and make cash withdrawals on arrival, which can be a cost effective and time saving solution.

Read also: Compare exchange rates to buy LKR

Best place to exchange currency in Sri Lanka

You can get your LKR in Sri Lanka in a couple of ways.

You’ll be able to use a travel debit card from a provider like Wise to make convenient payments and cash withdrawals and to convert funds online.

Or if you prefer an offline solution you can carry some cash in AUD to exchange when you arrive. Currency exchange providers are often in airports and hotels, although the exchange shops in a city centre are likely to be cheaper overall.

Best way to get LKR

You can get LKR in cash before you leave, exchange on arrival, or take money from an ATM when you get to your destination. Each method has its own pros and cons. Generally, using local ATMs can offer a good exchange rate, and is convenient and secure. You won’t need to carry lots of cash at any one time, making this a safe option - just make sure you top up on cash before you head off to any rural or out of the way areas where ATM access may be more limited.

Paying for the trip in AUD

If you’re paying for things in Sri Lanka with a AUD bank card you might find a foreign transaction fee is added. This pushes up your costs when you spend in a foreign currency, and can be tricky to calculate.

Travel debit cards don’t always work this way. When you make purchases in Sri Lanka using the Wise card you can either choose to convert your account balance to LKR in advance in the Wise app, or just leave your balance in Australian Dollars and let the card handle the transaction when you pay. You’ll always get the lowest available fee and there are no extra foreign transaction charges.

Conclusion - Currency in Sri Lanka

You won’t be able to pay in AUD when you visit Sri Lanka - so learning about the currency you need is essential. Whether you decide to use a travel debit card from a service like Wise , or stock up on LKR in cash in advance, knowing the mid-market exchange rate can help you get the best available deal. Use this guide to learn all you need to know about the options, rates and fees for exchanging AUD to LKR, and make your money go further while you’re away.

The official currency in Sri Lanka is LKR. You can’t usually pay in Australian Dollars in Sri Lanka, so you’ll need to plan in advance to get your travel money sorted. Consider ordering a travel debit card from a service like Wise, for low cost conversions to LKR and convenient spending and withdrawals - and remember that knowing the AUD to LKR mid-market exchange rate is essential to check you’re getting a fair deal on currency exchange.

FAQ - Currency in Sri Lanka

What is the currency in Sri Lanka called?

The official currency in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee. You may also see the code LKR and the currency symbol Rs.

What's the currency in Colombo?

The official currency in Colombo is the Sri Lankan Rupee. You’ll only be able to spend in LKR while you’re there.

What is the old Sri Lanka currency?

Today the currency in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee. If you’re worried about currencies changing, why not get a travel debit card from a service like Wise which will automatically pick the currency needed in your destination when making a payment - with no penalties or inflated fees.

What is the best currency to take to Sri Lanka?

You’ll only be able to spend in LKR while you’re in Sri Lanka. Carrying some money in cash and using a travel debit card from a service like Wise is usually the best way to spend while you’re away from home.