Gold loan and pawning rates in Sri Lanka
Published rates and advances per sovereign from six lenders, each read from the lender’s own website.
Rates checked 14 October 2026 on each lender’s own website
In short
- Published pawning and gold loan rates run from 14.00% to 16.50% a year.
- Lowest: Seylan 6-month gold loan plus at 14.00%.
- Highest published advance for 22-carat gold: Seylan, Rs. 237,000 per sovereign (3-month Gold Loan Plus).
- Since 25 May 2026, banks and finance companies may lend at most 70% of the value of the gold.
Rates compared
| Lender | Product | Rate a year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Savings Bank (NSB) | Pawning, ordinary savings account holders | 14.75% | Lender’s site effective 10 September 2026 |
| Pawning, “Shree” account holders | 14.25% | ||
| Seylan Bank | 12-month pawning | 14.50% | Lender’s site |
| 3-month Gold Loan | 14.50% | ||
| 3-month Gold Loan Plus | 15.50% | ||
| 6-month Gold Loan Plus | 14.00% | ||
| Bank of Ceylon (BOC) | Pawning | 15.00% | Lender’s site |
| Regional Development Bank (RDB) | 3 months | 16.00% | Lender’s site effective 2 September 2026 |
| 6 months | 16.00% | ||
| 1 year | 14.90% | ||
| People’s Bank | Swarna Pradeepa pawning, normal customers | 16.50% | Lender’s site |
| Vanitha Vasana, Harvest, PFCA and Ehera Vasana account holders | 16.00% | ||
| LB Finance PLC | — | Not published | Lender’s site |
How much you can borrow per sovereign
Maximum advance per sovereign (8 grams), by carat. The branch assesses the actual weight and purity, so you may be offered less.
| Lender and product | 24 kt | 22 kt | 21 kt | 20 kt | 19 kt | 18 kt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seylan 12-month pawning | 257,000 | 234,000 | — | 213,000 | 196,000 | 186,000 |
| Seylan 3-month Gold Loan | 259,000 | 236,000 | 226,000 | 215,000 | 198,000 | 188,000 |
| Seylan 3-month Gold Loan Plus | 260,000 | 237,000 | 227,000 | 216,000 | 200,000 | 190,000 |
| Seylan 6-month Gold Loan Plus | 258,000 | 235,000 | 225,000 | 214,000 | 197,000 | 187,000 |
| RDB 1 year | 225,000 | 210,000 | 200,000 | 170,000 | 160,000 | 150,000 |
| People’s Bank Swarna Pradeepa pawning, normal customers | 230,000 | 205,000 | 180,000 | 155,000 | 140,000 | 130,000 |
What each lender says
- Seylan: Advances listed per sovereign. Part payments up to 80% of the outstanding capital can be made online. Applicants must be 18 or over.
- BOC: BOC publishes its pawning rate on its rates page; the advance per sovereign is not listed there.
- RDB: Advances are listed for 8 grams of gold (one sovereign), for loans of up to one year.
- People’s Bank: Maximum advances are per sovereign for one year (the 24-carat figure is for gold biscuits). 2% penal interest applies to pawned advances not redeemed after 12 months.
- LB Finance: LB Finance does not publish its gold loan rate online. Its Regular Gold Loan runs for 1, 3, 4, 6, 9 or 12 months, depending on the product tier, and accepts gold of at least 16 carats from Sri Lankan citizens aged 18 or over.
The 70% rule
Since 25 May 2026, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has capped credit secured by gold at 70% of the gold’s value for licensed banks and licensed finance companies. The cap also applies to existing facilities when they are renewed. CBSL announcement.
In April 2020 the Central Bank capped pawning rates at licensed banks at 12% a year, during the COVID-19 period. Today’s published rates, above, are higher. CBSL notice of 27 April 2020.
Pawning or a gold loan: what is the difference?
According to the Central Bank, a pawn is made under the Pawnbrokers Ordinance No. 13 of 1942, and a pawnbroker needs a licence from the Divisional Secretariat. A gold loan is a loan secured by a mortgage over the gold under the Mortgage Act. CBSL FAQ.
Worked example
Two sovereigns of 22-carat jewellery at People’s Bank (Rs. 205,000 per sovereign, 16.50% a year) for 6 months: an advance of up to Rs. 410,000 and about Rs. 33,825 in interest, so about Rs. 443,825 to redeem. Lenders may calculate interest monthly or add charges, so ask the branch for the exact figure.
Pawning or an online loan?
At 14–16.5% a year, pawning costs a fraction of an online loan, which runs from 190% APR on a three-month loan to over 800% a year on a 10-day loan. If you have gold, pawning it is almost always the cheaper way to borrow quickly.
Find a pawning branch near you
Addresses and phone numbers of LB Finance and Regional Development Bank branches in every district.
Western ProvinceCentral ProvinceSouthern ProvinceNorthern ProvinceEastern ProvinceNorth Western ProvinceNorth Central ProvinceUva ProvinceSabaragamuwa ProvinceAll 25 districts →
Frequently asked questions
Which bank has the lowest gold loan rate in Sri Lanka?
Of the rates published online on 14 October 2026, the lowest is Seylan’s 6-month Gold Loan Plus at 14.00% a year, followed by NSB at 14.25% for Shree account holders. Rates change often, so confirm with the branch.
How much can I get for one sovereign of 22-carat gold?
Published maximum advances for 22-carat gold range from Rs. 205,000 (People’s Bank) to Rs. 237,000 (Seylan) per sovereign. The branch values your actual gold, so the amount you are offered may be lower.
What is the maximum loan against gold in Sri Lanka?
Since 25 May 2026, licensed banks and finance companies may lend at most 70% of the gold’s value, under a Central Bank of Sri Lanka direction.
What happens if I do not redeem my pawned gold?
Terms differ by lender. People’s Bank, for example, charges 2% penal interest on advances not redeemed after 12 months. Ask about the renewal and auction terms before you pawn.
What do I need to pawn gold?
Your gold and a National Identity Card, passport or driving licence. Seylan Bank and LB Finance require you to be 18 or over, and LB Finance accepts gold of at least 16 carats.
Is pawning cheaper than an online loan?
Yes, by a wide margin. Published pawning rates are 14–16.5% a year, while online loans cost from 190% APR to over 800% a year.