A Census of Population and Housing is the most extensive statistical undertaking in any country. Normally, Censuses are conducted in countries every 10 years. Department of Census and Statistics conducted the 14th decennial Census in Sri Lanka covering the entire country in 2012 after 31 years.

History and landmarks of the Census: Sri Lanka has a long history of Census taking; started in 1871, 143 years ago. It was the first Population Census conducted among South Asian Countries. Censuses are usually conducted in Sri Lanka once in 10 years and continued regularly until 1931; 1941 Census was postponed to 1946 due to Second World War. The next one was conducted in 1953 followed by 1963. The tradition of conducting Censuses in years ending ‘1’ was re-established in 1971 and the next Census was carried out in 1981. Census could not be implemented in 1991 and the Census 2001 which was conducted after 20 years was confined to only 18 out of 25 districts in the country due to the civil disturbances that prevailed in the Northern and Eastern provinces at that time. Census which was conducted in 2012 was very important to the entire nation as it covered the entire country after 31 years.