Joining a radio show named "Athul Paththa" (ඇතුල්පැත්ත) , she said that the economic growth rate in the first quarter of this year was 3.7%.

She said that the country's first census of population and housing was carried out in 1871.

She further stated that a full census will be conducted every 10 years and accordingly the next census will be conducted in 2021.

Additional Director of the Department, Shyamali Karunaratne said that the census data will be analyzed and used for the purpose of formulating policies for the development of the country.