Sri Lanka (previously Ceylon) was under British rule from 1815 until the country won its independence in 1948. The Government of Ceylon first issued rupee denominated paper money in 1895. In 1951, the Central Bank of Ceylon assumed responsibility for the issuance of paper money, followed in 1977 by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Since 1950 there have been 11 series of banknotes. Modern notes are colorful and richly detailed, featuring a range of cultural themes.
