A nine-year-old girl has died after she was repeatedly beaten during an exorcism ritual that her parents believed would rid her of an evil spirit.
The tragic death occurred over the weekend in Delgoda, a small town about 40 kilometres northeast of Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo.
Police revealed two suspects have since been arrested following the girl's death, including the woman performing the exorcism and the girl's mother, with both appearing in court on Monday where it was determined that they would be detained until March 12.
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According to police spokesperson Ajith Rohana, the victim's mother had taken her young daughter to the house of the woman who performed the exorcism as she believed the girl was possessed by a demon and hoped to drive away the evil spirit.
Rohana explained that the exorcist 'first put oil on the girl and then began to hit her repeatedly with a cane.'
Neighbours reportedly responded to the screams of the child, but it was too late, Rohana added.
When the nine-year-old girl lost consciousness, she was taken to a hospital, where she later died. An autopsy had been scheduled for earlier this week.
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"The child had collapsed after the severe beating she received. She was found dead on admission to hospital," he said.
The spokesperson urged the public to be wary about such services because the girl was not the first to die during one of these rituals.
Police added that they were investigating whether anyone else had suffered abuse at the hands of the woman performing the service, as she had been known in the area for performing exorcisms in recent months.
Sri Lankans often seek help with health ailments from 'witch doctors', with Sri Lankan health minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi previously announcing he had consumed syrup from a 'god man' who had claimed it would give him lifelong immunity from Covid-19.
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He later contracted the virus and required treatment in intensive care.
It's not the first time in recent years that individuals have died as a result of exorcists attempting to rid individuals of 'demons' either.
In January 2020, the bodies of seven people were found in a mass grave in an indigenous area of Panama where members of a religious sect were thought to be performing exorcisms.
The victims included a 32-year-old pregnant woman and five of her children, aged one to 11. The sixth victim was a 17-year-old neighbour.
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Ten people were later arrested on suspicion of murder.
Topics: World News, News