Enumerators visiting house-to-house during the islandwide census of population and housing which opened this week, will seek information from individuals regarding access to internet and communication facilities, among others.
The use of internet, media and communication facilities that come under housing information are some of the additional information added to the questionnaire for the 14th census of population and housing conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS).
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| Enumerators gathering information from a household in Kadawatha. Pic by M.D. Nissanka |
The most crucial stage of the census, which is the enumeration stage, is now being carried out by 80,000 enumerators who are visiting households islandwide and collecting information, DCS Director H.R. Gunasekara said.
He said mapping and listing of 150 building units in all the Grama Niladhari divisions in Sri Lanka were successfully completed as the first and second stages of the census.
Mr. Gunasekara said that a census is conducted in accordance with the Census Ordinance under the technical assistance of the DCS, to provide accurate information which provides the base value for administrative decision making.
The enumeration stage, which is the most significant stage of the census, is carried out during the three-week period from February 27 to March 19, followed up by a revision round on March 20 and March 21, where households are revisited and the population information collected during the first round are revised, taking into account the births and deaths that may have occurred in between.
In addition, enumeration of homeless persons living outdoors will be conducted on the night of March 19, the night before Census day, which is March 20.
The information required by the DCS covers a wider span under the categories, Background, Migration, Educational, Fertility of Women and Housing.
Mr. Gunasekara added that an e-census will also be carried out covering 300 households in Colombo, where people can fill out the questionnaire online. He added that the DCS is planning to develop this method for the future to maximise efficiency.
He said that, instead of the old method of manual data entry using keyboards, the department will use scanning technology, where the questionnaire can be directly scanned and entered into the records. He added that, this is a significant advancement on the census process. The DCS is planning to issue the initial reports of the census within a few months, while the issue of comprehensive reports will take up to one year.
Thorough training has been provided to the 80,000 enumerators through about 2,500 training sessions. They will be assisted by 16,000 officials. Mr. Gunasekara said that the enumerators have been issued with separate identity cards and caps to be worn when visiting the houses.
“The general public can ask for the identity card of the enumerators, if they have any doubts” he said.
Mr. Gunasekara emphasised that the cooperation and support of the general public is imperative for the census, adding that, the process would be less time consuming if the public would be prompt in providing the relevant information to facilitate easy and fast data collection by the enumerators.
“Every person is bound to give information according to the census ordinance, and the information provided will not be divulged. Enumerators are bound by the oath of secrecy they take on recruitment,” he said.
Penalty for withholding information
The Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) which is carrying out the census , warned failure by any individual to provide information could result in penalties.
DCS Director H.R. Gunasekara said if an individual is willfully reluctant to provide information, he/she can be fined up to Rs. 50,000 and imprisoned up to three years. |
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