These areas are Lunugamvehera, Angunukolapelessa and Bandagiriya in Hambantota, said Rajarata University’s Dr. Channa Jayasumana.

Ten per cent of the residents of these areas, who were subjects of the research, are in the early stage of kidney disease, he said.

At this stage, their kidneys emit a certain protein, which was also seen among those who were similarly subjected to research during the early stage of the kidney disease in Medavachchiya area, said Dr. Jayasumana.

In the next five years, kidney patients can be reported from southern province, he warned.