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2 Rupees
| Issuer | Government of Ceylon |
|---|---|
| Year | 1941 |
| Type | Standard circulation banknote |
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|---|---|
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| Reverse description | The reverse, printed in deep purple-mauve tones, carries a central scenic vignette of Sigiriya Rock Fortress set among tropical trees and terraced gardens, captioned "SIGIRIYA ROCK" in small lettering below the scene. A large circular watermark space occupies the left portion of the note, framed by guilloche border work and corner numeral "2" cartouches. The header reads "GOVERNMENT OF CEYLON" in a decorative banner, with the denomination repeated in Sinhala and Tamil scripts along the lower margin. |
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| Protection type | Watermark |
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| Comments |
Ceylon's wartime currency arrangements were substantially disrupted after the fall of Singapore in February 1942, which cut off supply lines and forced emergency printing decisions across British colonial territories. This note predates that crisis — issued in 1941, when De La Rue's London operations were themselves under strain from Blitz-related disruptions to the works at Bunhill Row.
The Government of Ceylon, rather than the Ceylon Currency Board or a commercial bank, remained the direct issuing authority through this period, a legacy of the island's distinct constitutional relationship with Westminster.