July 12, Colombo (LNW): Chinese scientists, in collaboration with a team of local scientists, have conducted a study on Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDu) in Sri Lanka. The team, which visited Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at Temple Trees, announced that the final report of their study will be submitted shortly.
In addition to supporting the research, the Chinese government has extended a grant for a water purification project in CKDu-affected districts in Sri Lanka. Prime Minister Gunawardena expressed gratitude for China’s assistance with water purification and research on water-borne diseases, initiatives that began during his tenure as Minister of Water Supply.
Prof. Min Yang, Head of the Research Centre for Eco Environmental Sciences in China, highlighted that under the China-Sri Lanka Research Grant Project, a fully-fledged research centre for water technology has been established in Kandy, named the China–Sri Lanka Joint Research and Demonstration Centre (JRDC) for Water Technology. Dr. S.K. Weragoda, Director of JRDC, noted that the centre will collaborate with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), benefiting from its insights and guidance.
The research on CKDu was prompted by the emergence of this public health challenge in specific geographic areas of Sri Lanka, primarily in the north central and eastern dry zones. Prof. S.H.P.P. Karunaratne revealed that the study confirmed kidney diseases were caused by the presence of calcium and fluoride in groundwater in these regions.
Prime Minister Gunawardena emphasized the need for further research, noting that the excessive metal content in water might be attributed to the long-term use of chemical fertilizers in upcountry plantations, as the rivers originate from the hill country.
The meeting included the participation of MP Yadamini Gunawardena, Prime Minister’s Secretary Anura Dissanayake, and National Science Foundation Chairman Prof. Ranjith Senaratne. The Chinese delegation featured Deputy Ambassador Zhu Yanwei, Prof. Yuansong Wei of the Research Centre for Eco Environmental Sciences, and other leading scientists and engineers.
