Reply To:
Name - Reply Comment
Last Updated : 2024-04-18 19:11:00
On Oct 15, we reported the following claim made by MP Sunil Handunnetti: 74% of the population of Sri Lanka lives a rural lifestyle/in a rural setting.
According to the data from the Department of Census and Statistics (quoted in Central Bank Annual Report 2018), the percentage of the population classified as living in the rural sector is 77.4%. Handunnetti seems to have quoted this statistic (approximately) correctly.
Although his quotation of the data is correct, his interpretation is not. The Census classifies areas in Sri Lanka as ‘urban’ and ‘rural’ based purely on historical administrative labels.this classification is not adjusted to the actual urban/rural characteristics of the areas in the present day. For example, Kelaniya and Homagama are both governed by a Pradeshiya Sabha, and therefore classified as ‘rural‘, despite being major centres of urban living. Correcting for this problem, a more scientific classification by the Insititute of Policy Studies in 2016 finds that the percentage of the population living in rural settings is 56.2% not 74%. Conclusion: Handunnetti has correctly quoted a highly misleading statistic, but has not interpreted it accurately. therefore, we have classified his statement as PARTLY TRUE.
For the relevant CBSL data, see: Table 3.1, Economic and Social Statistics of Sri Lanka 2018, Central Bank of Sri Lanka, available at: https:// www.cbsl.gov.lk/.
w abayasekara Monday, 11 February 2019 08:53 AM
The statistics are highly misleading .definitions matter over 80% of the people are live an urban existence even in a family grandparents are rural,parents rurban and children are urban in attitudes as well as in job aspirations you can have a rural place with urban/rurban people
ranganatha wellappuli Tuesday, 19 February 2019 02:01 AM
test
Robert Abayasekara Tuesday, 19 February 2019 09:06 AM
Isn't it time to redefine what is urban and rural? Throughout my life from the 60's I have seen Hendala transform from a semi rural area to a highly urbanized environment. Before PS system we had a Town council in Hendala. But now we are PS area and hence a rural area!
Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.
Reply To:
Name - Reply Comment
On March 26, a couple arriving from Thailand was arrested with 88 live animal
According to villagers from Naula-Moragolla out of 105 families 80 can afford
Is the situation in Sri Lanka so grim that locals harbour hope that they coul
A recent post on social media revealed that three purple-faced langurs near t
10 Apr 2024
09 Apr 2024