Sri Lanka’s largest-ever lottery jackpot, totaling more than 63 crore rupees, has been claimed, officials said Friday.
A representative of the Development Lotteries Board said the winning ticket carried a prize of 629,855,919.60 rupees, marking the highest payout recorded in the country’s lottery history.
The ticket was purchased in the Girandurukotte area of the Badulla district, the official said at a media briefing.
The winner will be formally identified after verification of the ticket’s authenticity and completion of required legal and financial procedures, including compliance checks related to the payout.
Officials said the prize is subject to a one-time 14% tax under regulations governing lottery winnings.
The Development Lotteries Board, which has operated for more than four decades, currently conducts eight lottery games daily. Proceeds from ticket sales are transferred to the President’s Fund and allocated to national development and welfare initiatives.
According to the board, funds support programs including the Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Trust Fund, healthcare services, cultural activities, social welfare schemes and assistance for families of war heroes.
The board also announced that another major cash prize draw will be launched starting Friday. (Newswire)
