Central Bank officials who were present at a press conference held on Monday in connection with the release of the Bank’s Annual Report for 2000, were unable to say whether poverty in Sri Lanka has declined over the years.

"What do you mean by poverty,"? They asked. They were then asked whether malnourishment in the country has increased or decreased over the years. "The Central Bank does not carry out surveys on poverty," the officials replied.

They further said that another establishment (Not the Central Bank) carries out periodic surveys on poverty and the last such survey was carried out a few years ago, in 1996 or 1997, they said..(PA)