Police in Sri Lanka have arrested two people in connection with the death of a nine-year-old girl who was repeatedly beaten during a ritual they believed would drive away an evil spirit. The two suspects – the woman performing the exorcism and the girl’s mother – appeared in court to hear charges over the girl’s death, which occurred over the weekend in Delgoda, a small town near the capital, Colombo. Police said the exorcist first put oil on the girl and then began to repeatedly hit her with a cane. When the girl lost consciousness, she was taken to a hospital, where she died. Police have urged the public to be careful about such services as the girl was not the first to die during such a ritual.

Source: Irish Independent March 01, 2021 12:01 UTC