South Asia Center presents: Dr. Chandani Liyanage

South Asia Center Presents: Dr. Chandani Liyanage Department of Sociology, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka The discourse between lay people and the experts on unknown etiology of Chronic Kidney Disease in Sri Lanka Chronic Kidney Disease with unknown etiology (CKDu) is a leading health problem in contemporary Sri Lanka, resulting in poor health, low productivity of livelihoods and several other impacts. Dr. Liyanage’s paper explores the discourse between lay people and the experts on the etiology of the disease. The local discourse has become a critique of the available explanations given by various experts who come from outside the village since these explanations are often contradictory. Local people also have their own explanations and interpretations regarding the etiology and prevalence of CKDu in their localities. The paper further explores the ethical issues related to scientific investigations and health care delivery system of the country.