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SRILANKA-CRIME-ARREST-EXORCISM
Sri Lanka police arrest ‘exorcist’ after child killed in ritual
COLOMBO, Feb 28, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – Sri Lankan police on Sunday arrested a
self-proclaimed exorcist after a nine-year-old girl she had beaten as part of
a ritual died.
The unidentified woman allegedly struck the girl repeatedly with a cane,
claiming it was a way to drive out a demon that had possessed the child, said
police spokesman Ajith Rohana.
The girl’s parents had taken her to the woman in the village of
Meegahawatte, just outside the capital Colombo, where neighbours responded to
the cries of the child but not in time to save her, Rohana added.
“The child had collapsed after the severe beating she received. She was
found dead on admission to hospital,” he said.
There have been a number of such alleged exorcism attempts in the area in
recent years, police added, with some causing physical harm — including
death.
Many in Sri Lanka seek help from witch doctors, self-proclaimed sorcerers
and exorcists for help with various problems.
Recently, health minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi publicly consumed a syrup
made by a “god man” who had claimed it would give lifelong immunity from
Covid-19.
The minister ended up contracting the coronavirus and required intensive
care treatment.
BSS/AFP/RY/1630hrs