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Money & exchange rates
Today's official rates from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, licensed places to change money in every major town, and the scams to watch for.
Today's US dollar rate
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Buy and sell rates for major currencies
Average Telegraphic Transfer (TT) rates quoted by Colombo commercial banks at 9.30am. Cash rates at counters are usually slightly lower when you sell. LKR per 1 unit of currency. A rise means the rupee weakened, so your money buys more.
| Currency | Bank buys (you get) | Bank sells (you pay) | Change since previous day |
|---|---|---|---|
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All 35 currencies (official indicative rates)
| Currency | Code | LKR per 1 unit | 1,000 LKR = |
|---|
Currency converter
Uses today's Central Bank rates. "At a bank" shows roughly what you'd receive when you sell your currency for rupees.
Where to exchange money
Licensed by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
At the airport (Colombo, CMB)
Counters are in the arrivals hall before you exit customs, and are open for every flight. Rates are close to city rates, so changing enough for your first few days here is fine.
Banks everywhere else
What the licence types mean
Buy, sell & exchange changes money both ways.
Buy & exchange gives you rupees for foreign cash, but can't sell you foreign currency.
Hotel exchanges for its own guests only, and only into rupees.
Licensed money changers by area
Source: Department of Foreign Exchange, Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Changers can lose their permits, so if one isn't on the current official list, don't use it.
Money scams to avoid
Most visitors never have a problem. These are the tricks police and travellers report most often.
Smart money habits
Were you scammed?
Report it straight away. Keep the receipt or the notes, and write down the place, time and a description.
| Police emergency | 119 |
| Tourist Police (Colombo) | +94 11 242 1052 |
| Sri Lanka Tourism hotline | 1912 |
To report an unlicensed money changer, contact the Central Bank's Department of Foreign Exchange.