First all island census in three decades in March

Sri Lanka will conduct its first all island census in three decades in March.

The census will be held on 20 March and the revision rounds will take place in the next two days, according to the Department of Census and Statistics Director Suranjana Vidyaratne.

The two initial stages of mapping and listing of buildings have already been completed.

Vidyaratne said data collection of occupied homes and information gathering of persons who have gone abroad for duration of more than six months will happen between 27 February and 19 March.

A census of homeless people would be conducted on the night of 19 March.

The last national census was conducted in 2002, but was limited to the areas other than the north and east, as the LTTE led separatist war made it difficult to hold it throughout.

The island’s population was estimated at over 19 million in 2002.