Poverty levels to be calculated at Grama Niladari level with new software

Deviating from the customary district level calculations, the Census and Statistics Department yesterday announced plans to calculate poverty lines at Grama Niladari level.
Software that can be used in the calculations has been developed by the Census and Statistics Department and was presented to Deputy Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya. These new measures were taken as a result of a study that was conducted by the Department that uncovered the possibility of gauging poverty and development levels at Grama Niladari levels.
Census and Statistics Department Director General S. Widyaratne noted that this would enable better knowledge of grassroots level circumstances that could sometimes be hidden in district level statistics and would enable policy makers to have a clearer view of requirements to combat poverty.
“The government has taken strong steps to combat poverty. As a result, the poverty percentage that was 22.7% in 2002 was reduced to 15% just four years later. We will continue such measures in the future as well,” he assured during the software handing over ceremony.