28 February 2021 11:50 am
A tragic death of a 9-year-old girl was reported in the Meegahawatta police area last night whilst a witchcraft treatment was being performed to cure an illness reported to have been caused by an evil spirit.
Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said the child, a resident of Kadaboda in Meegahawatta has been carried by her mother to an exorcist who was living in the vicinity of her house.
An exorcist who is known to cure such evil possessions in that area, had initially treated the girl by applying oil and then used the whip to continue the treatment.
The child felt unconscious after being continually lashed with the whip and was rushed to the Biyagama Hospital where she was pronounced dead on admission.
The police arrested the exorcist and the child's body was referred to post-mortem examination and the magisterial inquest to be conducted today.
The mother and the woman treated the girl have been arrested and to be produced in court on Monday.(DSB)