This is the 59^th edition of the Statistical Abstract of which the first issue was published in 1949. The aim of the Statistical Abstract is to present a number of statistical tables on a wide range of subject fields providing statistical information on the Country’s Population, Employment, Agriculture, Education, Trade, Industry, Climate, Communication, Social Condition etc.

Every effort was made by the department to ensure that the information in the official Statistical Abstract of Sri Lanka is as comprehensive, clear and up to date as limitations of time and space allow. In order to help researchers, a series of data covering several years are given wherever possible. The information in this issue has been revised and brought up to date to cover as far as possible the year 2021.

This publication has been prepared by the Publications division headed by former Director Mrs. G.G. Gunasekara and Director Mr. K.S.R.L. Senadeera under the guidance of Ms. D.D.G.A. Seneviratne, the Additional Director General of this Department.

The preparation of this publication and the verification of the data included in this publication were carried out by Ms. Aruni Nilupuli Statistical Officer, assisted by Mr. S. Pungunran, Statistical Officer under the supervision of Ms. K.K. De Almeida, Statistician.

This publication owes much to the assistance and co-operation of various Ministries, Government Departments and other Organizations which provided valuable data for this publication. I wish to express my appreciation to all divisions of this department for their contribution in providing data for this publication.

Contributions of all the staff of the Publications division of this department in releasing the Statistical Abstract 2021 are deeply appreciated