Chinese scientist helps make Sri Lanka's water safe

COLOMBO — In scientist Wei Yuansong's office drawer is a thank-you letter written in Sinhalese and signed by an entire Sri Lankan village.

The letter, which passed through many hands and was franked in different locations, contains the shared memories of a decade-long fight against a killer kidney disease that had plagued villagers for years because of their lack of safe drinking water.

"We express our heartfelt gratitude to Professor Wei for providing us with safe and tasty drinking water," the residents of Nildiya village wrote.