Census after 30 years

Priyanka KURUGALA

The Census and Statistics Department has planned to hold its 14th census after 30 years. The Department hopes to hold this census covering all the Districts, said Deputy Financial Minister Candrasiri Gajadeera.

He was addressing a ceremony to mark the World Statistic Day at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Colombo.

Sri Lanka is the only country among SAARC countries that held its first census in 1871. These census are not a new experience to Sri Lanka.

Due to terrorist activities, the Department was unable to collect the required details countrywide for the 2001census. The Department was unable to collect details for 29 percent of country for this census. Eighteen percent of the population was not included in this census.

"To achieve the targets of the Mahinda Chinthana, and make the country the Miracle of Asia, we should identify all the reasons accurately," he said.

It is necessary to obtain the correct data of the country to reach development targets, he noted.

Census and Statistics Department Director General Suranjana Vidyaratna said that this is the first International Statistic Day held in the world. For the first time the UN General Assembly has invited all member states to celebrate this event on October 20, she said.

Official statistics are very important to plan the future programs of a country. Statistics will be the main guideline to achieve development gaols of a nation.

The Census and Statistics Department holds numerous census in the country. Populations Census, Agricultural Census and Industrial Census are some of them. The Census and Statistics Department uses modern technology for this task.

Deputy Treasury Secretary Udaya Ranjith Seneviratna said that, data which was collected for census are very important to make the policies of a country.

This data supports the decision making process guiding the country to prosperity. The Department of Census and Statistics held an Arts and Poster competition among the schoolchildren. To mark the World Census Day. The winners were presented awards and certificates.

The Department also organized an exhibition to present their publications to the public along with the ceremony.