IOM and the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) have opened a
National Centre for Migration Statistics in Colombo.

The centre, which is housed at the DCS, is funded by the
European Commission and Australia and is the first of its kind in
Sri Lanka. It will serve as a central body where statistical data
related to migration will be collected, stored, analyzed and made
available to the public through the departmental website.

"This centre will enhance the capacity of the Sri Lankan
government to collect reliable, comprehensive and sustainable data
on migration, which at present is scattered among various
government departments and international organizations," said DCS
Director General Ms. S. Vidyaratne. 

"As a country with high outward migration, Sri Lanka needs
reliable statistics on migration patterns and flows to formulate
effective migration policies," said IOM Sri Lanka Chief of Mission
Mohammad Abdiker.

The centre will source its data from various stakeholders
including the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, the
Departments of Police, Immigration and Emigration, United Nations
agencies and diplomatic missions.

For further information please contact:

Passanna Gunasekera

IOM Sri Lanka

Tel: +94. 5333 43

E-mail: "mailto:pgunasekera@iomsrilanka.org">pgunasekera@iomsrilanka.org