Monday Nov 11, 2024
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Monday Nov 11, 2024
Thursday, 2 November 2023 01:54 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The decennial population and housing census commenced at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday.
The Presidential Secretariat assumed the distinction of being the first edifice catalogued in this census. What sets this year’s census apart is, its fusion of modern technology with conventional paper documents for data collection.
The deployment of tablet computers, internet connectivity and geo-spatial technologies is a standout feature. This method, known as Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI), is being employed for the first time.
Sri Lanka’s Population and Housing Census is conducted every 10 years and is overseen by the Department of Census and Statistics. The previous census took place in 2012. Interestingly, the inaugural legally mandated census in Sri Lanka transpired on 27 March 1871, marking a pioneering scientific endeavour among South Asian nations.
The Population and Housing Census is a vital source of data for shaping national policies, public administration and understanding demographics, ethnic distribution and other social characteristics. The census encompasses housing information at the village official division level. This comprehensive undertaking includes assigning a unique number to every building and obtaining GPS coordinates for each structure. Additionally, it results in digitised maps at the village official division level.
Notable figures such as Senior Additional Secretary to the President W.A. Sarath Kumara, Colombo District Secretary K.G. Wijesiri and Director General of the Census and Statistics Department P.M.P. Anura Kumara among others, participated in this significant event.
