A news with the title “Wang Yi officially handed over new currency to Sri Lanka during a meeting between President and Prime Minister” is currently being circulated with a photo of a stock of Rs. 10,000 notes.
The news item further reads that the People’s Bank of China issued Rs. 10,000 notes on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka to be used for payments in Sri Lanka and China, Port City, Colombo and Port of Hambantota.
When inquired, a media officer of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka said that the above news item is fake.
She further said that if such money is being laundered or obtained, a press release will be issued and that the media will provide due coverage.
The Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Sri Lanka on January 8 on a two-day official visit.
Subsequently, Sri Lanka and China has signed several agreements such as a Memorandum of Understanding on Economic and Technical Cooperation, an Exchange Letter on the Colombo Low Income Subsidy Housing Project, a Certificate of Assistance regarding the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) Technical Cooperation Project and the Technical Cooperation for Kidney Mobile Test Ambulances.
However, there were no reports stating that the People’s Bank of China had issued Rs. 10,000 notes on behalf of the Sri Lankan government. When the photographs of the banknotes that were being circulated were examined, it was made clear that the photographs were made by distorting photographs of the Sri Lankan Rs. 5,000 note.
Therefore, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has confirmed that the statement on the People’s Bank of China issuing Rs. 10,000 notes on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka is fake.