The final report of the 2024 Population and Housing Census of Sri Lanka was officially presented to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake by K.M.D.S.D. Karunaratne, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics, at the Presidential Secretariat.
This census marks the 15th Population and Housing Census of Sri Lanka. Notably, for the first time in the history of the census, tablet computers and smartphones were used for nationwide data collection. A total of 15,000 devices were deployed, enabling faster data collection, reducing errors, and allowing direct uploads to the department’s servers. This digital approach facilitated efficient data analysis and report preparation.
Conducted under the Census Ordinance, this census represents the largest and most complex data collection exercise ever undertaken by a government agency in Sri Lanka. A large team of specially trained census data collectors—including government officials, university students, and other higher education professionals from across the country—participated under the technical guidance of the Department of Census and Statistics and the direction of District Administrations. The official “census moment” was set as 00:00 hours on 19 December 2024.
The report provides detailed information on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth rate, population distribution by district, and the number of dwelling units occupied by individuals. It serves as the basic national register, offering critical data on population structure, housing conditions, socio-economic characteristics, and regional disparities. This information is vital for the government and other institutions in formulating policies and plans to guide Sri Lanka’s development.
Speaking at the event, Director General K.M.D.S.D. Karunaratne highlighted that digital methods allowed for the collection of a broader range of information than in previous censuses, enabling a more comprehensive analysis in the final report.
The handover ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Deputy Minister of Economic Development Nishantha Jayaweera, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Additional Secretary to the Treasury Himali Pulleperuma, Additional Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics Mrs. Wasana Jayakody, and other officials.
