Census Department to modernise data collection

The Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) has launched a project to set up a Statistical Database Management System (SDMS) with the financial and technical co-operation of the office of the Commissioner of the Statistics, Korea (KOSTAT).

The project will modernise the system of data inputs in statistical production and deliver efficient service to end users.

The project scope covers system development, expert dispatch, provision of equipment and training. The system development includes development of SDMS, statistical portal service system, meta-data system and integrated data base.

It also includes human resource development and IT infrastructure development in data collection, processing and dissemination.The Director General of DCS, D.C.A. Gunawardene said that the US$ 4 million project will be completed by the end of 2017.

KOSTAT will also support DCS to set up mid and long-term development plans, develop strategies for strengthening human resources and training in Sri Lanka.

It also includes training in Korea for high level and working level officials and instructors. The project will set up a training centre at the DCS, he said.

“The DCS plays an important role in the dissemination of data to users and we need to set up an efficient and user-friendly system. At present we don't have a database and we store data in different forms. We use a manual data collection process and it is costly and inefficient because it involves several steps such as collection and transportation of documents and data entry process,” Gunawardena said.

“In the last census we used scanning for data entry. Under this project we hope to introduce a computer-based data collection system that eliminates paper work and improves efficiency in data processing,” he said.

- GW