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Akif Hazarvi

SWIFT codes in Sri Lanka

LK · LKR

Find the correct SWIFT/BIC code for banks in Sri Lanka. Use these codes when sending or receiving international wire transfers. A SWIFT code ensures your payment is routed to the correct bank and branch.

Banks

55

SWIFT codes

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Branches

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Currency

LKR

Banks in Sri Lanka

A

ACUITY SECURITIES LIMITED

A

AMANA BANK PLC

A

ASHA PHILLIP SECURITIES LIMITED

A

ASIA SECURITIES (PRIVATE) LIMITED

B

BANK OF CEYLON

B

BANK OF CHINA LIMITED COLOMBO BRANCH

B

BARTLEET RELIGARE SECURITIES (PRIVATE) LIMITED

C

C T SMITH STOCKBROKERS (PVT) LTD

C

CAPITAL ALLIANCE PLC

C

CARGILLS BANK PLC

C

CENTRAL BANK OF SRI LANKA

C

CENTRAL DEPOSITORY SYSTEMS (PVT) LTD

C

CEYLON TOBACCO COMPANY PLC

C

CITIBANK N.A. SRI LANKA

C

COLOMBO STOCK EXCHANGE

C

COMMERCIAL BANK OF CEYLON PLC

C

COMMERCIAL BANK PRIMARY DEALER LTD.

D

DEUTSCHE BANK AG, COLOMBO BRANCH

D

DFCC BANK PLC

E

ENTRUST SECURITIES PLC

F

FIRST CAPITAL TREASURIES PLC

F

FITCH RATINGS LANKA LTD.

F

FORBES AND WALKER TEA BROKERS (PRIVATE) LIMITED

H

HABIB BANK LTD.

H

HATTON NATIONAL BANK PLC

H

HDF SECURITIES (PVT) LTD.

H

HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION LIMITED, THE

I

IIFL SECURITIES CEYLON (PVT) LTD

I

INDIAN BANK

I

INDIAN OVERSEAS BANK

J

JB SECURITIES (PVT) LTD

J

JOHN KEELLS STOCKBROKERS (PVT) LTD.

L

LANKA SECURITIES (PVT) LIMITED

L

LOLC FINANCE PLC

M

MCB BANK LTD.

N

NATION LANKA EQUITIES (PVT) LTD.

N

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT BANK PLC.

N

NATIONAL SAVINGS BANK

N

NATIONS TRUST BANK PLC

N

NDB SECURITIES (PRIVATE) LIMITED

N

NSB FUND MANAGEMENT COMPANY LIMITED

P

PAN ASIA BANKING CORPORATION PLC

P

PEOPLE'S BANK,HEAD OFFICE

P

PEOPLE'S MERCHANT BANK LIMITED

P

PUBLIC BANK BERHAD

S

SAMPATH BANK PLC

S

SENKADAGALA FINANCE PLC

S

SEYLAN BANK PLC

S

SOFTLOGIC STOCKBROKERS (PVT) LTD

S

STANDARD CHARTERED BANK

S

STATE BANK OF INDIA

T

THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION LIMITED

T

TKS SECURITIES PVT LTD.

U

UNION BANK OF COLOMBO PLC

W

WEALTHTRUST SECURITIES LTD

Frequently asked questions

What is a SWIFT code for Sri Lanka?

A SWIFT code (BIC) for Sri Lanka is an 8 or 11-character code identifying a Sri Lankan bank for international wire transfers. The country code portion is LK. For example, BCEYLKLX is the SWIFT code for Bank of Ceylon, Sri Lanka's largest state-owned bank. The structure is: 4 characters for the bank, 2 for country (LK), 2 for the city, and optionally 3 for the branch.

What are the SWIFT codes for major Sri Lankan banks?

Key Sri Lankan bank SWIFT codes include: Bank of Ceylon — BCEYLKLX, Commercial Bank of Ceylon — CABORLKLXXX, Hatton National Bank (HNB) — HABORLKLXXX, Sampath Bank — BSAMLKLX, People's Bank — PEBLLKLX, Nations Trust Bank — NTBCLKLX, and Standard Chartered Sri Lanka — SCBLLKLX. Always verify the exact code with the recipient's bank.

How do I send money to a Sri Lankan bank account from abroad?

To send an international wire transfer to Sri Lanka, you need: the recipient bank's SWIFT/BIC code, the recipient's full account number, and the recipient's full name as registered with the bank. Sri Lanka does not use IBAN. Some Sri Lankan banks also require the branch address and a purpose-of-remittance declaration. Always ask the recipient to confirm the full details with their bank.

What is the NRFC account and how does it help overseas Sri Lankans?

An NRFC (Non-Resident Foreign Currency) account is a special account type offered by Sri Lankan banks to non-resident Sri Lankans and expatriates. NRFC accounts can receive inbound foreign currency transfers and hold balances in USD, GBP, EUR, or other currencies without mandatory conversion to LKR. This is advantageous for Sri Lankans working abroad who want to hold foreign currency savings at home.

How long does a SWIFT transfer to Sri Lanka take?

SWIFT transfers to Sri Lanka typically arrive within one to three business days. Transfers from major corridors (Middle East, UK, Italy, and South Korea — significant destinations for Sri Lankan workers) usually settle within one to two business days. CBSL compliance review may add a day for large or unusual transfers.

Are there CBSL regulations affecting inbound transfers?

Yes. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) requires that all inbound foreign transfers be received through licensed banks and declared for balance-of-payments purposes. Sri Lanka has periodically tightened foreign exchange rules during periods of economic stress. Using official banking channels (SWIFT transfers to licensed banks) ensures compliance and helps recipients access foreign exchange smoothly.

Can I receive money in LKR or foreign currency in Sri Lanka?

Standard LKR accounts receive foreign currency transfers converted to rupees at the bank's rate on the settlement date. NRFC accounts receive and hold foreign currency before conversion. Inward Remittance Accounts (IRAs) also allow temporary holding of foreign currency. For large transfers, the timing of LKR conversion can significantly affect the amount received in rupees.

Are there fees for receiving a SWIFT transfer in Sri Lanka?

Sri Lankan banks typically charge an inbound remittance processing fee, often LKR 500–1,500 per transaction or a small percentage of the amount. The exchange rate spread is an additional implicit cost. For personal remittances, Sri Lanka's government has encouraged use of official banking channels by offering exchange rate incentives at various times — check current CBSL guidance before sending.

How SWIFT works in Sri Lanka

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) regulates all foreign exchange transactions and international payments. SWIFT is the primary channel for inbound remittances, which are among Sri Lanka's most important sources of foreign exchange earnings. Major banks including Bank of Ceylon, Commercial Bank of Ceylon, Hatton National Bank, and Sampath Bank are all connected to the SWIFT network.

Sri Lanka's four most commonly used banks for inbound international wires are Bank of Ceylon (BCEYLKLX), Commercial Bank of Ceylon (CABORLKLXXX), Hatton National Bank (HABORLKLXXX), and Sampath Bank. Bank of Ceylon is state-owned and handles a large share of government-related transfers, while Commercial Bank has the widest retail network and strong diaspora remittance volumes.
CBSL regulations allow Sri Lankan residents to receive foreign currency transfers into Inward Remittance Accounts (IRAs) or Non-Resident Foreign Currency (NRFC) accounts. Funds in NRFC accounts can be held in foreign currency without mandatory conversion to LKR, which is useful for expatriates or recipients who regularly transfer money home.
Sri Lanka has experienced significant economic volatility in recent years, which has affected the LKR exchange rate and led to periodic restrictions on foreign exchange. Senders should use SWIFT transfers through official bank channels rather than informal networks, as CBSL prioritizes allocating foreign exchange to officially recorded inbound remittances.