Demographic Transition

The Demographic Transition that has taken place in Sri Lanka over the past 130 years is described in four phases.The first phase, pre 1946, the second phase 1947-1970, the third phase, 1971-2000, and the fourth phase 2001 and beyond. The last phase has to be seen as a period of social and economic readjustment to the realities of the demographic transition. It is a period that provides opportunities to make qualitative improvements in education and health services, as well as mobilize human resources for economic development. It is also the time to prepare to meet the new challenges of population ageing. The final outcome of the demographic transition will, therefore, depend on the effectiveness of strategies adopted to meet the opportunities and challenges it offers. The Editorial Board under the chairmanship of the then Surveyor General, Ranasinghe Silva consisted of eminent persons with considerable experience and expertise in their respective fields drawn from the National Universities and Government Departments.The Editorial Board comprised the following: Mr.Ranasinghe Silva, Survey General; Dr. Senaka Dias Bandaranayake, Emeritus Professor of Archaeology, University of Kelanuya; Dr.M.M.Karunanayake, Emeritus Professor of Geography, University of Sri Jayawardenepura; Dr. Lalani C. Rejapaksa, Professor of Community Medicine, University of Colombo; Dr. Dayanath Wijeysekera, Former Vice Chancellor, University of Moratuwa; Dr. D. S. Epitawatte, Former Vice Chancellor, University of Sri Jayawardenepura; Dr. T. Jayasingam, Senior Lecturer, Eastern University of Sri Lanka; **Dr. A.T.P.L. Abeykoon, Director, Population Division, Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition**; Mr. S.M.W. Fernando, Addl. Survey General; Mr. K. Thavalingam, Addl. Survey General; Mr. U.S.B. Panamaldeniya, Addl. survey General; Mr. K. Dayananda, Senior Deputy Survey General; Dr. R.M.K. Ratnayake, Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Commerce.