Money, cards and ATMs in Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan rupee rules for visitors: how much cash you can bring in and take out, the Central Bank's indicative exchange rates, cards and ATMs, and how Indian visitors can pay with UPI or rupees. Official sources checked 22 October 2026.
How should you pay for things in Sri Lanka?
Quick answer: Pay in Sri Lankan rupees (LKR). Use a card at hotels and bigger shops, and carry cash for tuk-tuks, buses and small places. Indian visitors can also pay by UPI at shops that show a LankaQR code. You can bring any amount of foreign money, but you must declare it at Customs if it is over USD 15,000.
Money is one of the first things to sort after you land. Our Colombo airport arrival guide covers the arrivals hall, and our trip cost guide shows what a day costs.
What currency does Sri Lanka use?
Sri Lanka uses the Sri Lankan rupee, written LKR or Rs. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) says the rupee is the legal tender for payments inside the country, and that any transaction between residents must be in rupees. In practice, that means prices in shops, restaurants and taxis are in rupees, even if a hotel quotes you in US dollars.
What is the exchange rate today?
The Central Bank publishes indicative rates every working day, based on quotes at 9.30 am. These are the newest we found on its site when we checked on the morning of 22 October 2026:
| Currency | CBSL buy rate (LKR) | CBSL sell rate (LKR) | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US dollar (USD) | 327.39 | 336.39 | 21 October 2026 |
| Pound sterling (GBP) | 436.65 | 451.17 | 21 October 2026 |
| Euro (EUR) | 366.13 | 379.13 | 21 October 2026 |
| Australian dollar (AUD) | 227.64 | 238.27 | 21 October 2026 |
These are telegraphic transfer rates, not cash rates. The rate you get at a bank counter, a money changer or an ATM will be different, and your own bank may add a fee. The CBSL list showed no Indian rupee rate on this table.
Quick sum: at about Rs 330 to the US dollar, Rs 1,000 is a little over USD 3, and Rs 10,000 is about USD 30.
How much cash can you bring in and take out?
These are the rules on the Sri Lanka Customs passenger pages, which follow the Central Bank's foreign exchange gazette:
| What | Limit or rule | What you must do |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign currency in (cash, cards, cheques) | Any amount, legally acquired | Declare at Customs if the total is over USD 15,000 or equivalent |
| Foreign currency notes you plan to take back out | Over USD 10,000 | Declare on arrival |
| Foreign currency notes out | Over USD 10,000 | Declare when you leave |
| Money you declared on arrival | Any amount, even under USD 15,000 | Declare again if you want to take it back out |
| Sri Lankan rupees in or out | Up to Rs 20,000 | No declaration needed up to this amount |
Customs asks arriving passengers to declare foreign currency, gold jewellery and gems to the officer at arrival. If you are carrying a lot of cash, keep the declaration receipt for your departure.
Can Indian visitors pay with UPI or rupees?
UPI: yes, at LankaQR shops. The Reserve Bank of India announced on 12 February 2024 that UPI connectivity with Sri Lanka had launched, letting Indian travellers make QR code payments at Sri Lankan shops with their UPI apps. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka's 2025 payments report confirms that LankaQR, the national QR code, was linked with NPCI International (NIPL) in 2024. LankaPay, which runs LankaQR, said in May 2024 that PhonePe users could pay at LankaQR shops across the country, with the account charged in Indian rupees and the exchange rate shown in the app.
Indian rupee notes: not for shopping. CBSL made the Indian rupee a designated foreign currency in August 2022, with the Reserve Bank of India's agreement. It says this helps banking and trade, and adds convenience for Indian tourists in banking transactions. But CBSL also says plainly that it "does not make INR a legal tender" for payments inside Sri Lanka. Change rupee notes at a bank or licensed money changer, or pay by UPI or card.
| How to pay | Works for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| UPI app at a LankaQR code | Indian visitors with a supported app | Not every shop has LankaQR; check your app supports international UPI |
| Indian rupee notes | Changing at a bank or licensed changer | Not legal tender for shop or taxi payments |
| Indian debit or credit card | Hotels, larger shops, ATMs | Your bank's foreign transaction fee |
| Sri Lankan rupee cash | Everything, including tuk-tuks and buses | Carry small notes |
If you are coming from India, our 5-day and 7-day itineraries for Indian visitors, and our India to Sri Lanka ferry guide, cover the rest of the trip.
Can you use cards and ATMs?
Cards are common at hotels, airlines, supermarkets and bigger restaurants. Cash is still needed for tuk-tuks, buses, small guesthouses, temple donations and market stalls. CBSL's 2025 payments report also says LankaQR was linked with UnionPay in 2023 and Alipay+ in 2025, so some visitors from China can pay by QR code too.
We did not find an official list of ATM fees or withdrawal limits for foreign cards today. They depend on the Sri Lankan bank and on your own bank, so check both before you travel.
A local tip from recent news: card machines and ATMs need power and a network. Sri Lanka had an island-wide power outage on 17 October 2026 and scheduled one-hour evening cuts from 19 to 21 October 2026, as set out in our is Sri Lanka safe guide. Keep enough cash for a day.
Which payment should you use for what?
| Spending | Best way to pay | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel bill | Card | Widely accepted, easy to dispute |
| Train ticket at the station | Cash in rupees | See our train booking guide |
| Tuk-tuk or bus | Cash in small notes | Few drivers take cards |
| Restaurant in a town | Card or LankaQR | Ask first; carry cash as backup |
| Entry tickets at heritage sites | Check the site's own page | Rules differ by site |
| Shopping as an Indian visitor | UPI at LankaQR | Charged in INR with the rate shown |
Our entry ticket prices guide converts the main site fees at the Central Bank rate.
Banks close on every bank holiday. The 2027 dates are in our Sri Lanka public holidays 2027 guide.
Frequently asked questions
What currency is used in Sri Lanka?
The Sri Lankan rupee (LKR). The Central Bank of Sri Lanka says the rupee is the legal tender for all payments between people in Sri Lanka, so plan to pay in rupees by cash, card or QR code.
How much cash can I bring into Sri Lanka?
Any amount of foreign currency, if it was legally acquired. Sri Lanka Customs says you must declare it on arrival if the total is over USD 15,000 or the same value in other currencies. You may bring in or take out up to Rs 20,000 in Sri Lankan rupees.
How much money can I take out of Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka Customs says you must declare foreign currency notes over USD 10,000 when you leave, and that if you want to take back money you declared on arrival, you should declare it even if it is under USD 15,000. The limit for Sri Lankan rupees is Rs 20,000.
Can I use UPI in Sri Lanka?
Yes, at shops that accept LankaQR. UPI payments for Indian visitors were launched in Sri Lanka on 12 February 2024, and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka says LankaQR was linked with NPCI International in 2024. Your Indian account is charged in rupees (INR) and the app shows the exchange rate.
Is the Indian rupee accepted in Sri Lanka?
Not for everyday payments. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka made the Indian rupee a designated foreign currency in August 2022 for banking and trade, but says this does not make it legal tender. Shops, hotels and taxis should be paid in Sri Lankan rupees, by UPI at LankaQR shops, or by card.
What is the exchange rate in Sri Lanka today?
On 21 October 2026, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka's indicative telegraphic transfer rates were Rs 327.39 to buy and Rs 336.39 to sell one US dollar. Rates change daily, and cash rates at banks and money changers differ, so check the Central Bank's page on the day.
Can I use my credit card in Sri Lanka?
Usually at hotels, larger shops and restaurants. Smaller guesthouses, tuk-tuks, buses and market stalls often want cash. Carry some rupees, and tell your bank you are travelling.
Do ATMs work during power cuts?
Not always. ATMs and card machines need power and a connection, so keep some cash in hand. Sri Lanka had an island-wide outage on 17 October 2026 and scheduled one-hour cuts from 19 to 21 October 2026, covered in our safety guide.
Sources
Last verified 2026-10-22
- https://www.customs.gov.lk/about-us/directorates-and-divisions/passenger-services-directorate/
- https://www.customs.gov.lk/about-us/directorates-and-divisions/passenger-services-directorate-katunayake/
- https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/sites/default/files/cbslweb_documents/laws/acts/en/dfe_gazette_20200701_2182_33_e.pdf
- https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/en/news/clarification-on-misinformation-relating-to-indian-rupee
- https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/sites/default/files/cbslweb_documents/publications/fsor/2025/en/11_Payments_and_Settlements.pdf
- https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/en/rates-and-indicators/exchange-rates
- https://rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_PressReleaseDisplay.aspx?prid=57308
- https://lankapay.net/en/news/launch-of-phonepe
Covered in this guide
Colombo airport arrival guide
Is Sri Lanka safe to visit?
Five Days in Sri Lanka from India
Seven Days in Sri Lanka from India
Ferry to Sri Lanka from India
Sri Lanka entry ticket prices
Sri Lanka public holidays 2027
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