Census of Public and Semi-Government Sector Employment 2024

The preliminary report of the ‘Census of Public and Semi-Government Sector Employment 2024’, conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS), was published on 29 April 2025, unveiling timely statistical information on the public and semi-government sector employment in Sri Lanka. As per the circular issued by the Secretary to the President on 22 April 2024, the Department conducted the Census on 28 May 2024. It is in fact the largest data source that can accurately and reliably provide the number of public and semi-government sector employees in the country, as well as their basic information.

According to the preliminary release of findings, the number of employees in all public and semi-government sector institutions is reported as 1,156,018 (provisional). The majority of employees are in the central government, accounting for 59.5% of the total workforce. As a whole, the proportion of males (50.5%) is slightly higher than that of females (49.5%). However, female employees in the provincial government sector are twice as many as their male counterparts, whereas male employees in the central government semi-government sector outnumber their female counterparts by more than two to one. It should be noted that the employees of the subsidiaries of semi government institutions and estate field laborers of semi government sector estates have not been included in this Census. Further, only the civil staff of Sri Lanka Army, Navy and Air Force has been included in the Census.

These statistics are timely important, not only for the purpose of making policy decisions regarding the public and semi-government sector, but also due to the fact that the public and semi-government sector employment is a topic which is currently subject to various debates and discussions in the country. Hence, the DCS has fulfilled its responsibility as the National Statistical Office of Sri Lanka to produce and disseminate timely and accurate official statistics required to create well-informed policies and plans.

Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2025 Now in Progress ....

The Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) is currently conducting the latest Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) throughout 2025. With a history rooted in its initiation in 1990/91, the HIES Serves as a long-standing foundation of our national statistical program, providing invaluable insights into the socio-economic condition of Sri Lanka.

This year-long survey gathers data on household income, household expenditure, and household consumption patterns from a representative sample of households across the country. Conducted in twelve consecutive monthly rounds, the HIES meticulously capture seasonal and regional variations, offering a comprehensive understanding of living standards nationwide.

The data collected through this rigorous process serves as the primary source for computing essential socio-economic indicators including monetary and multidimensional poverty measures at national, sector, and district levels. Consequently, the findings of the HIES 2025 will be instrumental for governmental and non-governmental organizations, researchers, and academics in their planning, policy formulation, decision-making, and further research endeavors aimed at improving the well-being of all Sri Lankans.

Census of Population and Housing - 2024

The Preliminary Report of the Census of Population and Housing 2024, which was conducted in accordance with the powers conferred by the Census Ordinance, was presented to the minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development; His Excellency the President Mr. Anura Kumara Disanayake, by the Superintendent of Census, accordingly, the population (provisional) of Sri Lanka as reported in the Census of Population and Housing is 21,763,170.

The population of a country is declared at a specific point in time and the "Census Moment" of this census was 00:00 hours on 19th December 2024 (12:00 midnight on 18th December 2024). Accordingly, the information collected is revised with respect to the census moment and the population of the country is announced. The relevant revision round was implemented during the period 19th – 23rd December 2024. However, due to the complexity of the urban areas of Colombo and Gampaha districts, census data collection in these areas continued until February 2025, based on the census moment. A special feature of this year's census is the use of tablet computers and smart phones to collect data for the first time in the history of the Sri Lankan census.

The total population reported in the Census of Population and Housing 2024 shows an increase of 1,403,731 over the total population reported in the Census of Population and Housing 2012. The average annual growth rate of the population over the 2012-2024 intercensal period is 0.5 percent. When considering the population by province in Sri Lanka, the largest population of 28.1 percent of the total population resides in the Western Province, while the smallest population of 5.3 percent resides in the Northern Province.

When the population distribution at the district level is considered, the largest population resides in the Gampaha District, which is 2,433,685. The next most populous district is Colombo with a population of 2,374,461. When considering the population of other districts, Kurunegala (1,760,829), Kandy (1,461,269), Kalutara (1,305,552), Ratnapura (1,145,138) and Galle (1,096,585) districts respectively have a population of more than one million.

The highest population density is recorded in the Colombo District at 3,549 people per square kilometer, while the lowest population density is recorded in the Mullaitivu District, which has a population density of 50 people per square kilometer.

The Enumeration stage of the 15th Census of Population and Housing in Sri Lanka starts

A CPH is generally conducted in multiple stages, following several years of meticulous planning. The stages are Mapping Stage, Listing Stage, Enumeration Stage, and Data Dissemination Stage. The first and second stages of the CPH have been completed successfully, which involved preparation of census block maps and identifying and listing all buildings and their corresponding census units.

The Preliminary Report of the Listing Stage is published. This report presents the findings of the Listing Stage for all stakeholders to support policy formulation and strategic planning activities. You can access the report from

The third stage is the Enumeration Stage, which collects individual and housing information, and provides the population and housing counts of the country together with a wealth of information down to the lowest administrative level i.e. Grama Niladhari Division level. For the first time in 150 years of census history, data collection is facilitated with the use of tablet computers and smartphones. More than 30,000 Census Officers will be deployed for the enumeration stage.

The Department of Census and Statistics expects the support of all citizens of the country for this national endeavor by providing accurate information.

Household Survey on the Impact of Economic Crisis - 2023

Sri Lanka is currently experiencing one of its biggest economic crises since its independence in 1948 due to the Easter Attack in 2019 which worsened with the COVID 19 pandemic. A majority of households continued to struggle with a range of challenges in managing their daily activities, such as managing their income and other commitments. To resolve thus situation, multiple strategies have been tried by the government at macro and micro levels. To determine how such strategies for coping are utilized at the household level, the Department of Census and Statistics has initiated a survey to measure the impact of the ecnomic crisis on Sri Lankan households.

The survey which covers an island-wide sample of 6,540 housing units is carried out in August 2023. To reduce human errors throughout the data collection step, the Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewed (CAPI) method will be used at this survey.

This survey will provide more particular answers to the following concerns. 1. The impact of the economic crisis on household income sources 2. How living styles have changed as a result of the economic crisis, with a focus on spending behaviors (with relevant Coping strategies)

Measuring the Impact of Economic Crisis (2022) on SMEs: A Quick Survey

On the request of Presidential Secretariat, the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) embarked on a comprehensive survey designed to probe the far-reaching consequences of the prevailing economic crisis on the landscape of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) in the months of May and June 2023. About 8,000 enterprises from the micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, spanning the breadth of Sri Lanka's economic spectrum, including sectors like manufacturing, trade, and services was selected for this study.

This survey is expected to unearth the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that spanned 2020 and 2021, coupled with the economic downturn that transpired in 2022. Important aspects such as, identification of enterprises forced to shutter operations due to the crisis, subsequent shifts in their workforce dynamics, altered investment trajectories, encountered financial constraints, and the strategic maneuvers adopted to navigate the economic terrain are taken for comprehensive analysis.

The implications of the forthcoming survey results will not only serve as a compass for economic policy makers, offering vital guidelines for steering Sri Lanka out of its economic doldrums, but will also play a pivotal role in positioning the nation's economic health within the global context.

Washington Group on Disability Statistics (WGDS) recommendations to measure disability

Availability of accurate and timely statistics on people with disabilities is vital in formulating policies to protect their rights. Following the recommendations of the Washington Group on Disability Statistics (WGDS), DCS officials were recently trained to collect data in adaptation to the WG short set of six questions on seeing, hearing, mobility, cognition (remembering), self-care and communication. The training conducted in collaboration with World Food Programme (WFP) and Trinity College, Dublin was especially targeted at collecting data on disabled persons at the upcoming Census of Population and Housing.

Census of Population and Housing (CPH)

This commemorative coin unveiled by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka marks the 150th Anniversary of the Census of Population and Housing (CPH), the largest statistical undertaking in Sri Lanka. CPH provides reliable and detailed statistics on the size, distribution and the composition of population of Sri Lanka, and the 15th Census has been scheduled to be conducted in 2023/24.

Sri Lanka Statistical Review (SSR)

Sri Lanka Statistical Review (SSR) provides a forum for sharing new knowledge relates to the novel researchable areas of official statistics. The scope of this peer- reviewed, bi-annual publication covers the contemporary and innovative findings of the studies in the broader disciplines. SSR also works to share and promote the articles to the attention of a broader audience as well as to wider scientific progress. Volume 1 Issue 1 of SSR was published in March 2022.
Read more : http://www.statistics.gov.lk/Publication/SSR/SSR_Introduction