May 13, Colombo: Following a recent survey Sri Lanka's Department of Census and Statistics said that 15% of the country's total population lives under extreme poverty conditions.

The Department has also identified 19 most poor Grama Sewa Wasams (Village Officer Divisions) in Sri Lanka during the study that was conducted to categorize the Grama Sewa Wasams against the poverty line.

Department officials handed over the report to Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayaka yesterday. The report highlights the importance of designing poverty reduction programs that address the people who really in need, if they are to be effective.