News
Rs 2.8bn census goes digital for first time
View(s):By Nadia Fazlulhaq
Over 16,000 tablets (tablet computers) will be put to use for the 2023/24 census which will be the country’s first digital census at a cost of Rs. 2.8 billion, the Department of Census and Statistics said.
A gazette notification was issued this week by President Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Minister of Finance directing a census of population and housing of Sri Lanka for years 2023 and 2024.
Additional director general (statistics) at the Department of Census and Statistics Anoja Seneviratne said a geodatabase will be used for data collection and processing this time, unlike on previous occasions that totally relied on hard copies.
Pic by Eshan Fernando
The pandemic, severe economic crisis, high number of overseas migration, growing elderly population, internal migration to suburban areas will impact on changes in the population and housing statistics, compared to the last one in 2012.
Ms. Seneviratne said this census will have new additions such as questionnaires on reasons for overseas migration, non-communicable diseases, and mental health issues.
“Those who have left the country six months before will be included in the population census, but those who have left for more than six months need to give reasons whether it is for employment, education, dependent etc. Education qualifications will be looked into. Kidney ailments, thalassemia, diabetes and other non-communicable conditions will be also recorded,” she said.
She said while the Government will bear the major funding, assistance from UN agencies, too, will be received.
According to the senior official, the census will be conducted in four stages and mapping is currently carried out. Labels will be pasted on all houses and buildings. A person’s temporary residence and permanent residence will be recorded.
Prof. Manori K. Weeratunga
“Over 30,000 officers will be deployed for enumeration. As this is the first step to the digitalisation of census, a hybrid mechanism will be followed in some areas. But this will make future census more easier as we have a complete updated database.’’
Ms. Seneviratne said the 2012 census failed to follow the standard set of universal questions set by the Washington Group on Disability Statistics, but will be used this year. According to her, the preliminary report will be released by mid 2024.
Head of Colombo University’s Department of Demography, Prof. Manori K.Weeratunga said this is a much awaited census for experts of all areas.
“COVID-19 and the economic crisis definitely impacted birth and death rates, overseas migration and labour force, unemployment and marriage rates. Meanwhile, the country is seeing a growing elderly population and increased illnesses. Many people are settling in urban and suburbs in search of employment. But the statistics we have are more than a decade old,” she said.
She said policy planning and development, infrastructure, and social benefits can be focused on after studying the outcome of the census.
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!