SLAF 60th anniversary:

CBSL issues commemorative coin

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) issued a circulation standard commemorative coin in the denomination of Rs 2 on March 2, to mark the 60th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF).

In terms of section 52A (1) (a) and (b) of the Monetary Law Act (Amendment) No.6 of 1998, with the approval of the Finance Minister, the CBSL issues commemorative coins and notes.

The CBSL has issued commemorative coins to mark important events and persons since 1957 and the coin to mark the 60th anniversary of the SLAF will be the 51st commemorative coin that is being issued.

The obverse depicts the 60th anniversary logo of Sri Lanka Air Force in the centre. An artist's impression of a Chipmunk aircraft appears below the logo and another three aircraft; Mig 27, C 130, and MI 24 appear above the logo.

The words "Sri Lanka Air Force" in English, Sinhala and Tamil appear in the periphery of the coin. Years 1951-2011 appear at the bottom of the coin.

The reverse depicts the face value of the coin two in large numerals in the centre while the words "Two Rupees" in Sinhala, Tamil and English appear across the face value. The words Sri Lanka in Sinhala appears at the top centre and in Tamil and English on the periphery of the coin. The year 2011 is depicted at the bottom centre of the coin.

The coin is minted in nickel plated steel, is round in shape with a diameter of 28.5 mm and a weight of 7.0 grams similar to the existing Rs two coin presently in circulation. The first coin was issued to President Mahinda Rajapaksa by CBSL Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal on March 2 at the 60th anniversary celebrations at the Ratmalana SLAF base.