Poverty drops

The average income levels in nine districts in six provinces exceeded the poverty line of Rs 3,328 in February 2011.

According to the Department of Census and Statistics, the poverty line at the national level is the minimum expenditure per person per month to fulfill basic needs.

Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara districts in the Western Province rank highest above the poverty line by personal expenditure per month of Rs 3,708, Rs 3,526 and Rs 3,616 respectively.

Other districts above the poverty level in relation to personal expenditure are: Kandy (Rs 3,410), Nuwara Eliya (Rs 3,566), Galle (Rs 3,422), Puttalam (Rs 3,350), Badulla (Rs 3,406) and Kegalle (Rs 3,408).

Poverty levels in Matale (Rs 3,295), Matara (Rs 3,261), Hambantota (Rs 3,208) Kurunegala (Rs 3,250), Anuradhapura (Rs 3,155), Polonnaruwa (Rs 3,286), Moneragala (Rs 3,152) and Ratnapura (Rs 3,320) rank just below the poverty line.

The poverty line at the national level rose rapidly since the 2002 level of Rs 1,423. It was Rs 2,845 in 2008, Rs 2,942 in 2009, Rs 3,117 in 2010, Rs 3,027 in 2010 May, Rs 3,098 in 2010 June, Rs 3,097 in 2010 July, Rs 3,111 in 2010 August, Rs 3,141 in 2010 September, Rs 3,178 in 2010 October, Rs 3,213 in 2010 November and Rs 3,249 in 2010 December, Rs 3,290 in January 2011.

These figures do not cover the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

(www.priu.gov.lk)