Sri Lankan health authorities state that around 10% of kidney patients across the island are unaware they are suffering from the disease.

Dr Arjuna Marasinghe, a specialist at the National Institute for Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, warned that individuals who do not properly manage high blood pressure or diabetes face a significantly higher risk of developing kidney disease.

He noted that many patients remain undiagnosed until the illness has progressed to an advanced stage, making treatment more complex.

Dr Marasinghe advised individuals with high cholesterol or elevated blood sugar levels to undergo regular kidney screenings, stressing that early detection is essential to prevent serious complications.