People should not be wary of details provided to Census and Statistics: Department official

22 February 2025 02:35 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 6 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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The Census and Statistics Department is seeking exact details of people including the conditions of their housing and collected data that remain confidential and are inaccessible to any third party, a senior official from the department confirmed.

According to the official, the national census is the only programme that tracks internal migration patterns within the country.

"These data are used for analysis to determine migration trends between districts. However,

individual data will not be used separately but only in aggregate form," the official said.

Census officers will collect not only personal details but also information on living conditions,housing infrastructure, and available facilities. Data collection will be conducted at the lowest administrative level, the Grama Niladhari Division, ensuring that the information is not disclosed beyond this level.

"All data will be gathered through personal interviews and securely stored on an online platform managed by the department.the government has also issued a gazette notification outlining the legal framework for the collection of population and housing data under the Census Ordinance (Chapter 143).

The public has the right to verify the identity of census officers before providing information.They can crosscheck officials' details with the Census and Statistics Department or District Secretariats to clear any doubts," the official said.

The official said that no biometric data, such as fingerprints or photographs, will be collected.Census officers are mandated to reveal their identity before conducting interviews, ensuring transparency and public trust in the process.

Comments - 6

Ram P Saturday, 22 February 2025 03:28 PM

The census is good. overseas employees and Dual citizens must be included in the Census. They send the Forex that the government use but have not rights in the election of the governments. They must have the right to vote attending the SL High Commission in the country they work. These are issues that must receive the attention of the government

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Unless Sri Lankan overseas given reason they don't care to participate Monday, 24 February 2025 10:08 AM

I recently came to New Zealand, but my relatives in nearby Australia want nothing to do with Sri Lanka since the unfairness has started for dual citizens by Ranil. There is no winning of hearts since they have no more political rights in Sri Lanka, so you are living a pipe dream that disenfranchised former citizens care at all anymore.

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Terrence K Saturday, 22 February 2025 03:42 PM

The public have lost confidence in the whole gamut of public servants as most confidential information could be passed on to those interested parties about the income levels qualifications and the positions of employment. Look at the category of people who collect this information who have been employed for want of jobs in the public sector like unemployable graduates and this spade work is done to keep the JVP/NPP well informed at the district levels . Also the Grama Niladahari have enough and more information about the residents of a particular electorate and why is the JVP/NPP wanting the same information if no changes which is at the Pradeshiya Sabawa just expending unnecessary monies for these DA's to go around in motor cycles etc. at what costs. Also some of the householders strike a relationship with unemployable graduates and become familiar and every possibility of sensitive information passed on to these sources which was not possible in the past and security (price)

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Gamini Bandara Saturday, 22 February 2025 06:44 PM

This was supposed to be completed last year. Why is the Census releasing a statement now? This time, the Census is an utter failure. According to my understanding, Census officers failed to visit a considerable number of listed households

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Amila Jothipala Saturday, 22 February 2025 09:17 PM

How can we be assured that our data will be kept confidential. Do we have enough data protection and privacy laws in Sri Lanka comparable to western developed countries. Data leak in NMRA is itself a grim reminder how data security is haphazard in Sri Lanka. New laws should be promulgated and data should not be divulged unless it is a court order. Otherwise, it will go to marketing companies who will keep harassing us with all sort of offers and inducement.

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Today not accessible, tomorrow completely bad Sunday, 23 February 2025 03:31 AM

Many countries have had their citizen details on commercial online platforms stolen. Same thing will happen in Sri Lanka, citizens will be safer knowing if not today, next year, or sometime in the decade the crooks will steal their information, and so must not provide information for the census to keep themselves safe.

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