1981 - Sri Lanka - 2 Rupee
Mahaweli Development Scheme

A commemorative two rupee cupro-nickel coin was issued by the Central Bank of Ceylon on 24th July 1981 for the inauguration of the Mahaweli Development Scheme.

SPECIFICATIONS
DenominationRupees Two
Alloycupro-nickel
Diameter28.5 mm
Thickness1.7 mm
Weight8.25 gms
ShapeRound
EdgeGrained
Die-Axis
Issue45,000,000
ProofNil
MintRoyal,Wales
1981_Rs2__obverse 1981_Rs2__reverse
KM# 145

Obverse : An image of the Victoria dam constructed with aid from United Kingdom which was opened by Queen Elizabeth II within plain circle. Word මහවැලි in Sinhala on top, மகாவலி in Thamil on the left, and Mahaweli on the right with a liyavala at bottom along the periphery within raised rim.
Reverse : The large numeral denomination 2 with big රුපියල් දෙකයි in Sinhala, and smaller இரண்டு ரூபாய் in Thamil and TWO RUPEES superimposed. The year of issue 1981 is at the bottom. The country name ශ්‍රී ලංකා in Sinhala, centered on top, இலங்கை in Thamil on left and SRI LANKA on Right along periphery within raised rim.

CBSL confirms that there were two subsequent orders of 20M each above the which bring the total to 45M rather than 5M listed in Sallay and in Krause. This coin is small than the 1968 FAO issue which has similer reverse design and is of same size of the definitive issue of 1984 and later.

The coin was scaned at 300 dpi and the images are displayed at 254 dpi. The uncirculated commemorative coins were obtained from the Central Bank of Ceylon.