“A Population Census is the primary source of information about the number and characteristics of the population. In most countries, around the world, the Population Census remains the most important procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a country's population; and it forms the basis for the generation of basic but fundamental data needed for development planning and tracking progress towards national and international development goals. Moreover, a Population Census provides an important part of the foundation for good governance, decentralization and development. Census data and information support policy making and planning across a broad range of sectors and provide the basis for evidence-based policy dialogue. The 2012 Population and Housing Census is an important milestone in Sri Lanka's recent history because after a lapse of 31 years, findings from a Census covering the entire country are now available.” Reference: Census of Population & Housing 2012