Survey reveals:

Vast improvement in computer literacy

The report of the survey conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics on computer literacy in Sri Lanka was handed over to the President recently.

The report has revealed that out of citizens between 5-69, 5.2 per cent claimed they could used the e-mail, 5.0 per cent could use internet as against the corresponding figures of 2.8 per cent and 2.6 per cent during 2004.

The survey covered the Western, Southern, Central, NCP, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Wayamba and Eastern Provinces. Data for the survey were collected from 19,628 houses. The Census Department in its 2006 survey pointed out that 9.7 per cent computer literacy rate of 5-69 years of age in 2004 has increased to 16 per cent in 2006.

Housing units with computers in 2004 have doubled in 2006. In 2006, 8.2 per cent of housing units had at least one computer, according to the survey.

In urban areas it has increased to 17.8 per cent. Census and Statistics Department, Director, H. R. Gunasekera and Deputy Director Dr. Amara Satarasinghe with representatives from Data Communication and Technology Agency also participated.