News
Population and housing census set on its third phase
View(s):By Dilushi Wijesinghe
The Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) is set to conclude the enumerating phase of the Census of Population and Housing (CPH) 2024 on December 19, which has been designated as the official “Census Date.”
This was announced at a press conference held by the DCS on October 23 at the Department of Government Information.
Census Day will specifically focus on recording data regarding the dispossessed, who will be monitored six hours prior to the census moment and included in the relevant area.
The press conference held by the DCS on October 23 at the Department of Government Information. Pic by Priyanka Samaraweera
The third phase of the four-phase census commenced on October 17, during which enumerating officers began visiting homes to collect personal and household information.
The Preliminary Report for the third phase, known as the “Listing Stage,” was released on October 1. Director General of the DCS, Anoja Seneviratne, stated that the highest number of housing units and buildings recorded thus far has come from the Gampaha District, followed by Colombo. Current records indicate that Sri Lanka has a total of 8,377,895 census units, more than doubling the figure from the first CPH conducted in 1981, which recorded 3,423,486 census units. Additionally, 6,762,644 housing units have been documented. Gampaha leads with 939,135 census units (11.2 percent) and 770,132 housing units (11.4 percent).
The four-phase census began with the “Census Mapping” stage, which took place from 2017 to 2020, during which the island was divided into “Census Blocks” based on Grama Niladhari Divisions. This was followed by the “Listing Stage,” where census and housing units were numbered and labeled in red, and a yellow card was provided for citizens to fill in their personal information.
Currently, the census is in its third stage of information collection and will soon transition to the final phase of analysis and dissemination.
Following Census Day, citizens will have five days to update any changes from the initial counting round, such as births, deaths, and changes of residence.
The DCS has emphasised that census officers are required to adhere to the Census Ordinance to ensure that the census process does not disrupt the upcoming general elections. “All necessary steps have been taken according to the instructions given by the Election Commission in this regard,” the DCS stated.
Citizens are entitled to verify the IDs of Census Officials, and a dedicated hotline, 1901, has been established for additional inquiries.
The DCS requests the public’s cooperation in providing accurate information to census officers to ensure a successful and comprehensive census.
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