Total head count after 30 years

Rasika Somarathna

* Census in 2001 only in 18 districts

* New technologies in census process

Authorities will conduct a comprehensive countrywide census encompassing all areas of Sri Lanka during 2011 after three decades. The 2001 and 1991 census did not reflect accurate data as the conflict which lasted nearly 30 years had prevented the actual statistical count in several districts.

The last census carried out in 2001 was conducted in only 18 districts, according to population census demographic Director H R Gunasekera of the Department of Census and Statistics (DSC). The final accurate nationwide census to be conducted is considered to be the one which was done in 1981.

According to Gunasekera the DCS, with the intention of improving completeness, quality, and timeliness of the data and information gathered in the forthcoming census is planning to adopt various new and emerging technologies in the whole census process.

One of the major changes would be the adoption of the ‘de jure’ census methodology instead of the ‘de facto’ method applied during the earlier census.

A “de jure” census tallies people according to their regular or legal residence, whereas a de facto census allocates them to the place where enumerated.

According to Gunasekera the ground work to carry out the census is being prepared.

The preparation of detailed maps distinguishing district and divisional boundaries and subareas is almost complete.

Next the detailing of buildings, institutions, households etc. is to take place with the held of Grama Niladharis and other officials.

The 2011 Census is expected to be conducted in the third quarter of this year. The census which is to be carried out will be the 14th scientific census of the country.

In the 2011 census the, DCS plans to adopt contemporary data capturing technologies such as Optical Mark Recognition (OMR), Optical Character Recognition (OCR), and Intelligent Character Recognition (ICR).

They are also planning to conduct an e-census in selected areas parallel to the census field enumeration.

They plan to use computer assisted coding to code occupations and respective industries of individuals based on Sri Lanka Standard Classifications of Occupations (SLSCO-08) and Sri Lanka Standard Industry Classification (SLSIC - Rev 4).

They would use on-line editing technique to edit census data.