The preliminary report of the Census of Population and Housing 2024 was presented to the President Anura Kumara Disanayake , who is also the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, by the Superintendent of Census. The report reveals that the population of Sri Lanka stands at 21,763,170. The Census of Population and Housing is conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) once every ten years, as mandated by the Census Ordinance. The Fifteenth Census of Population and Housing, which was successfully completed in 2024, marks a significant milestone in the country’s statistical history.
The Census process is an intricate and multi-stage operation that aims to ensure no person or housing unit is omitted, while also preventing duplication. It is conducted in four stages, with each stage designed to progressively refine the data collection process. The first stage, known as the “Mapping Stage,” was carried out between 2016 and 2020. During this phase, the entire country was divided into smaller geographical sections known as “Census Blocks,” which were based on the existing Grama Niladhari divisions. This mapping provided the framework for future data collection activities. The second stage, the “Listing Stage,” took place in 2023 and involved identifying and classifying all buildings and census units within each Census Block. These units were categorized as “Housing Units,” “Collective Living Quarters,” “Residential Institutes,” and “Non-residential Units,” and each was assigned a number for easy identification.
The third stage of the Census, the “Enumeration Stage,” occurred between October and December 2024. This was when the actual collection of individual and housing information took place. Enumerators visited households across the country to gather data, ensuring that every individual and housing unit was accounted for. The information gathered during this stage was then revised based on the “Census Moment,” which was set at midnight on December 18, 2024. This means that the population was counted as it stood at exactly 00:00 hours on December 19, 2024. A revision round was conducted from December 19 to December 23, 2024, to ensure the accuracy of the collected data. However, due to the complexity of urban areas, particularly in the Colombo and Gampaha districts, data collection in these regions continued until February 2025.
A notable innovation in the 2024 Census was the use of tablet computers and smartphones for data collection, marking the first time such technology has been employed in Sri Lanka’s census history. This advancement helped to streamline the data collection process and ensured a higher degree of accuracy and efficiency compared to previous methods.
The preliminary findings show that Sri Lanka’s population has increased by 1,403,731 people since the last Census of Population and Housing, conducted in 2012. The average annual population growth rate during the period from 2012 to 2024 was 0.5 percent. The largest concentration of the population, 28.1 percent, resides in the Western Province, while the smallest, 5.3 percent, is in the Northern Province. At the district level, Gampaha has the highest population, with 2,433,685 residents, followed closely by Colombo, which has 2,374,461 residents. Other districts with populations exceeding one million include Kurunegala (1,760,829), Kandy (1,461,269), Kalutara (1,305,552), Ratnapura (1,145,138), and Galle (1,096,585).
When examining population density, Colombo District stands out with the highest density, at 3,549 people per square kilometer. In contrast, Mullaitivu District has the lowest density, with just 50 people per square kilometer. These population figures and density patterns are important for understanding the distribution of resources and planning for the country’s future development.
The data from the 2024 Census will be instrumental in shaping national policies and development plans. Detailed information on the population at the district, divisional secretariat, and Grama Niladhari levels will be made available soon, which will aid in more localized and targeted development efforts. The statistics gathered will serve as a foundation for analyzing various sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and social services, all of which are crucial for the country’s continued progress.
The successful completion of the Census is a remarkable achievement for Sri Lanka. The Department of Census and Statistics, alongside other stakeholders, demonstrated a commitment to conducting an accurate and thorough count, which will provide invaluable insights for future planning. According to D.D.G.A. Seneviratne, the Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics, the data collected will play a crucial role in the country’s development initiatives. In the coming months, further updates and detailed reports will be released, offering more granular insights into the demographic makeup of Sri Lanka.
