World Statistics Day is celebrated once in every five years to strengthen public awareness of the important work that national statisticians carry out throughout the year. Through collecting accurate, timely, and comparable data, the national statistical offices worldwide support a wide range of national and international activities, including development efforts that improve the lives of the poor and the vulnerable.

The First World Statistics Day was successfully celebrated on 20 October 2010 with activities organized in more than 130 countries and 40 international/regional organizations. The Department of Census and Statistics of Sri Lanka also celebrated this under the theme “Celebrating the many achievements of Official Statistics”.

The United Nations Secretary General, by his letter dated 19 August 2015 has brought to the kind attention of Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, the General Assembly resolution 69/282 in which 20 October 2015 is designated as the World Statistics Day under the theme “Better Data, Better Lives”. As per the General Assembly invitation extended to all member states, agencies of the UN system and other organization to observe the second World Statistics Day, The Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) has planned various activities targeting different audiences at national and sub national level, to celebrate this important event and to extend the fullest support to make the WSD2015 a success.

Special messages to mark WSD 2015 were issued by the President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe & State Minister of National Policies & Economic Development Niroshan Perera.