The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) issues commemorative coins and notes with the approval of the Hon. Minister of Finance in terms of Section 52A (1) (a) and (b) of the Monetary Law Act (Amendment) No. 6 of 1998. The CBSL has issued 54 commemorative coins to mark important events and persons since 1957.
Ananda College, established in 1886 completed 125 years on 01.11. 2011. To mark the 125th Anniversary celebrations, a commemorative coin with a face value of Rs. 2000 will be issued and it is a frosted proof crown size silver coin. This is the 55th commemorative coin issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
The obverse of the coin depicts the images of Venerable Mohottiwatte Gunananda Thero, Venerable Hikkaduwe Sumangala Thero and Colonel Henry Steele Olcott as the founders of Ananda College. A replica of Ananda Viharaya (Shrine with Buddha Statue) appears as a backdrop with the rays depicting impact of knowledge and education. The words “Ananda College” in Sinhala appears at the bottom centre with the years 1886 -2011 above it. “Ananda College” in Tamil and English appear on the left and right sides of the coin.
The reverse of the coin depicts the crest of Ananda College with the denomination “2000” in the centre. The word “Rupees” in Sinhala, English and Tamil appears above the numerals 2000. The words “Sri Lanka” in Sinhala appears at the top centre and in Tamil and English on theperiphery of the coin.
This frosted proof silver coin is round in shape and the diameter is 38.61 mm with a weight of 28.28
grams. The coin will be issued in an attractive presentation case accompanied by a certificate of
authenticity from the Royal Mint Ltd, UK.
The coin will be officially handed over to Hon. Minister of Finance, H.E the President Mahinda Rajapaksa by Mr. K G D D Dheerasinghe, the Senior Deputy Governor of the CBSL, in Colombo on 29.11.2011.
This is a limited issue of 1,500 coins and a coin will be sold at a price of Rs. 8,500. Coins will be available for sale at the cash counters at the Head Office of the CBSL, 30, Janadhipathi Mawatha Colombo 1, Money Museum at No.58, Sri Jayewardenepura Mawatha, Rajagiriya, CBSL Provincial Offices at Anuradhapura, Matara, Matale, Jaffna and Trincomalee from 15th December 2011.
