Sri Lanka, April 1 -- By Kamanthi Wickramasinghe

COLOMBO - Amid the hustle and bustle ofPettah, one of the busiest marketplaces in theColombo district, Sri Lanka's commercial region, Sandya Jayasekara was busy cutting king coconuts for her customers. Despite the heat, Sandya must engage in her business outdoors to earn a living and to fund her medical treatment.

"I have been selling king coconuts [Cocos nuciferavar.aurantiaca] from a very young age," Sandya tells Mongabay. "But sales are exceptionally low now because the price of a king coconut varies," from 200-220 rupees ($ 0.63-$0.70). The heat is unbearable and sometimes my skin turns red, but I can't afford to stay at home," she adds.

Sri Lanka has been experiencing warmer tempera...