December 08, Colombo (LNW): The Department of Census and Statistics has reassured the public that there is no reason to be apprehensive about providing information to the enumerators conducting the ongoing Population and Housing Census 2024.
Director General Anoja Seneviratne underscored the importance of full cooperation from the public to ensure the success of this critical national exercise.
In a statement to the media, Mrs. Seneviratne addressed concerns regarding some households reportedly refusing to share information with census enumerators.
She reassured citizens that the data collected will be kept strictly confidential and used solely for statistical purposes.
She emphasised that the information will not be used for any personal or individual decision-making but will serve as an essential tool for shaping national policies, development strategies, and future planning over the next decade.
The census, which began its data collection phase on October 07, 2024, follows an earlier preparatory phase that began in October 2023.
During this phase, red labels were placed on buildings to identify households for enumeration. Enumerators are now in the process of collecting detailed data about residents and their living conditions based on these identifiers.
“This census is being conducted under the legal authority of the Census Ordinance, and we aim to complete the enumeration by 23rd December,” Seneviratne explained.
She also highlighted that the President had declared December 19 as the official census date, as per a gazette notification.
In her message to the public, the Director General reminded citizens that if an enumerator had not yet visited their household, they could contact the dedicated hotline, 1901, for assistance.
Mrs. Seneviratne further stressed the significance of the census, stating, “The data we gather during this process will play a vital role in shaping the future of our nation. It is crucial that every household participates fully to ensure accurate and comprehensive representation in the census.”
She urged everyone to contribute, reinforcing that this data is crucial for informed planning and the overall progress of the country.
