Population and Housing Census to be launched

Published

2 years ago

November 9, 2022

editor

A Census of Population and Housing is planned to be conducted during the first few months of next year, the Census and Statistics Department said.

Its Director General P.M. Prasad Anura Kumara said the first phase of the mapping work has already begun.

He said the second phase, which is the training of officials for making the lists, will be done this month and next month.

Mr. Kumara said the United Nations Population Fund will provide funds to the programme.

After the process of making lists, the census of population and housing is scheduled to be conducted in the first few months of next year.

The Director General said that he expects the support of all private institutions and people in this regard.

The last population and housing census was conducted in 2012. Although a census should be conducted once in 10 years, a census could not be conducted due to the covid-19 pandemic.

2 Chinese nationals arrested at BIA with gems worth over Rs. 17 mn.

Published

11 hours ago

January 14, 2025

editor

Two Chinese nationals have been nabbed at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) last night (Jan. 13) after attempting smuggle a stock of gemstones out of the country.

The customs officers had apprehended the 45-year-old male and his 21-year-old daughter who had hidden gemstones in their undergarments, reports say.

According to Sri Lanka Customs, he stock of gemstones includes Moonstones, Hessonite Garnets, Star Sapphires, Cats Eyes and Emeralds weighing around 689.5 grams in total and valued around Rs. 17,450,875.

News

100 families in Suduwella village, evacuated

Published

11 hours ago

January 14, 2025

editor

100 families residing in Suduwella village, Gal Oya have been evacuated to safety, District Secretary of Ampara District, Chinthaka Abeywickrama says.
Noting that the Gal Oya is near to breaching its banks, Mr. Abeywickrama has said that the evacuation was done in the face of a possible flood situation.

Meanwhile, the banks of the Gal Oya have been severely eroded in the Kota Vehera area.

News

Samarasinghe blames previous govt. again for red rice shortage

Published

11 hours ago

January 14, 2025

editor

Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe has yet again blamed the previous government for the current shortage of red rice in the local market.

Speaking to media, the minister criticised a policy implemented by the previous government that distributed 20 kg of red rice to households indiscriminately.

However, he has assured the public that the situation will improve soon and that the supply will normalise in the coming months.

“Red rice is an essential food item, especially during the Thai Pongal celebrations, and we are aware of the anxiety caused by this shortage. Plans are afoot to stabilize supply ahead of upcoming harvests,” Samarasinghe stated.