Kidney diseases in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka: beyond the aetiology

An apparently new form of chronic kidney disease (CKD), mainly affecting rural and underprivileged paddy farmers, has been identified in the North Central dry zone of Sri Lanka. At present the cause remains controversial and subject to debate. The disease remains labelled as Chronic Kidney Disease of Uncertain aetiology (CKDu). CKD is recognized as the major public health problem in the North Central province of Sri Lanka.