Population information in Sri Lanka: role of communication in the national population programme
Fernando, Q.
Asian-Pacific Population Programme News 8(3): 33-35
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0125-6718 PMID: 12278304 Document Number: 365670
The government of Sri Lanka is presently involved in planning and implementing programs for the improvement of the socioeconomic conditions of its people. Sri Lanka's population efforts at the national level are undertaken through 12 multidisciplinary projects involving several United Nations agencies and 7 national ministries. Sri Lanka possesses an impressive infrastructure for population information and education and the primary channels utilized are the mass media and interpersonal communication. While means of mass communication are available to a large percentage of the population, a large group of field workers assist in bringing the message into the homes of the people. Population communication programs in Sri Lanka have demonstrated their effectiveness in disseminating factual information and family planning services and facilities. Communication activities need to speed up the process of change, to reinforce knowledge and to ensure a continuous education system. Population communication functions at 2 levels: 1) provision of basic information for purposes of motivation; and 2) assistance in the decision-making process. Mass media are used for the 1st purpose, and interpersonal efforts play a significant role in the 2nd.