The President requested the support of all friendly countries of Sri Lanka to control the kidney disease from which about 1,000 people die annually. The President made this observation during a meeting with Ambassadors and representatives of international organizations at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday.

He observed the drinking water problem has been identified as one main reason for the kidney disease. He further noted even though the facilities in hospitals throughout the country were improved to treat the kidney patients, the rising number of kidney patients had led to various difficulties.

The ambassadors expressed their willingness to give their maximum help to Sri Lanka over this matter, while admiring the humanitarian aspect of the President as a real leader of the people. The representative of the World Health Organization extended support to further investigate the causes of the illness. The EU representative stated it would increase the donations for the drinking water projects in Sri Lanka.

Chinese Ambassador Yi Xianliang said his country will build a 100 million dollar specialized hospital to treat a mysterious kidney disease that is striking mainly rice farmers in Sri Lanka. He added that water samples form affected areas are now under research at the Chinese Academy of science to identify the actual cause of the disease and that China will continue to collaborate with Sri Lanka to fight CKD.

Indian High Commissioner Y.K. Sinha said the water projects in Polgahawela, Kundasale and Kalutara would be supported by India, while the Japanese Government agreed to make donations for 60,000 kidney patients in Anuradhapura.

The Australian High Commissioner said they would extend the support to launch a drinking water project benefiting about 100,000 people in the North.

Several Ministers and Secretary to the President P. B. Abeykoon also participated.