Sri Lankan police have arrested a self-proclaimed exorcist after the death of a nine-year-old girl she had beaten as part of a ritual.
Key points:
- The child lost consciousness and was taken to the hospital, where she died
- The two suspects, the woman performing the exorcism and the girl's mother, have appeared in court
- There have been several alleged exorcism attempts in the area in recent years
The mother of the child allegedly believed her daughter had been possessed by a demon and took her to the home of the exorcist so a ritual could be performed to drive the spirit away.
The exorcist, an unidentified woman, allegedly first put oil on the girl and then began to repeatedly hit her with a cane, claiming it was a way to drive out a demon that had possessed the child, police spokesperson Ajith Rohana said.
The girl's parents had taken her to the woman in the village of Meegahawatte over the weekend, just outside the capital Colombo. Neighbours responded to the cries of the child but not in time to save her, Mr Rohana added.
She lost consciousness and was taken to the hospital, where she died.
An autopsy has been scheduled.
"The child had collapsed after the severe beating she received. She was found dead on admission to hospital," Mr Rohana said.
The two suspects — the woman performing the exorcism and the girl's mother — appeared in court on Monday to hear charges over the girl's death.
The court ordered the suspects detained until March 12.
The woman who performed the ritual on the girl was known in the area for offering such services in recent months and police were investigating whether anyone else had been abused, Mr Rohana 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.
AFP/AP